A delegate carrying a TV set
Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed Baba Jamal, has won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency, defeating four other aspirants in a contest overshadowed by widespread allegations of vote inducement.
Official results from the poll showed Baba Jamal securing 431 votes, narrowly beating Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes. Mohammed Ramne obtained 88 votes, Dr. Yakubu Azindow secured 45 votes, while Najib Mohammed Sani managed just one vote.
The primary attracted national attention after reports emerged that some candidates distributed items including motorbikes, television sets, “butas” (ablution kettles or water dippers), boiled eggs, ice chests, sanitary pads and cash to delegates during the exercise.
In a statement issued on February 7, 2026 shortly after the polls, the NDC national leadership condemned what it described as widespread incidents of inducement and vote-buying allegedly perpetrated by some aspirants during the primary.
“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, signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said.
The party subsequently announced the constitution of a three-member committee to investigate the allegations. The committee, chaired by Kofi Totobi Quakyi, includes Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and lawyer Emefa Fugah. It is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.
According to the NDC, the committee will examine the allegations, recommend appropriate sanctions where necessary, and propose reforms to curb inducement and vote-buying in future internal elections.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, following his participation and victory in the primary.
A statement signed by the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said although several candidates faced inducement allegations, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer involved.
The President said the recall was necessary to uphold the integrity of public office and ensure compliance with the government’s code of conduct for political appointees.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been directed to undertake the necessary administrative and diplomatic procedures to implement the recall.
Responding to the allegations, Baba Jamal confirmed that his campaign team distributed 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs to delegates, but denied that the gesture amounted to vote-buying.
“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong with it when you give things to people? Is this the first time I am giving things to people?” he quizzed.
He argued that his actions were consistent with his long-standing practice of providing financial and material support to people, insisting that the ethical issue was whether such gestures influenced voting decisions.
By Ernest Kofi Adu