President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed from his post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, following allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary primary on Saturday.
The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday night, February 7, 2026.
The directive follows controversy surrounding the Ayawaso East constituency primary, in which Mr Baba Jamal contested and emerged winner. Reports from the election suggested that some delegates were induced with money and television sets.
In several media interviews, some delegates admitted receiving television sets from one of the contestants.
Mr Baba Jamal, speaking in a media interview, said he saw nothing wrong with giving out gifts, adding that it was not the first time he had done so. He stated that he had distributed gifts on many occasions in the past and therefore saw nothing wrong if such gifts were given on Saturday.
According to the Presidency, the recall was prompted by allegations that some delegates were induced during the party’s internal election. The statement, signed by the Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, noted that although allegations were made against several aspirants, Mr Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them.
“The President noted that, while the allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primary, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them,” the statement said.
The recall takes immediate effect, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been instructed to initiate the necessary administrative and diplomatic steps to carry out the directive.
The controversy followed the circulation of footage on social media showing delegates allegedly receiving 32-inch television sets said to have been distributed by Mr Baba Jamal’s campaign team.
Speaking on Channel One TV on the same day, Mr Baba Jamal defended the distribution of the items, describing them as gifts rather than inducements.
He said, “If you give television sets to people, what is wrong? This is not the first time I am giving things to people.”
He added, “If someone gives you a gift, you can accept it. What is wrong is allowing that gift to influence your vote.”
Other reports also suggested that boiled eggs were distributed to delegates during the primary.
The NDC, in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, condemned the alleged acts.
“The party vehemently condemns these actions in no uncertain terms as they represent an affront to the values and principles of the party and the reset agenda the party is championing,” the statement said.
The party announced that it had begun investigations into the allegations and cautioned that sanctions would be applied where candidates were found culpable. It also warned that future incidents of inducement could attract tougher measures, including the cancellation of elections where evidence supports such claims.
Despite the controversy, the primary went ahead under tight security. Mr Baba Jamal won with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes. Mohammed Ramne secured 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azindow obtained 45 votes, while Najib Sani received one vote, according to provisional results.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the Ayawaso East by-election for March 3, 2026, following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure.
