President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, popularly known as Baba Jamal, following allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Presidency Communications Unit, signed by Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the decision stems from claims that delegates were induced during the NDC’s internal election process, in which Mr. Baba Jamal emerged victorious as the parliamentary candidate for the constituency.
While allegations of vote-buying were leveled against several contestants in the primaries, the Presidency highlighted that Mr. Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among the candidates, distinguishing his case and necessitating decisive action.
“The President noted that, while the allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primaries, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them,” the statement read.
According to the presidency, the recall is intended to uphold the standards of conduct expected of public officers and to safeguard the integrity of public office, avoiding any perception of impropriety or conflict with the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees.
“The recall is not intended to prejudice ongoing internal party processes, but is guided by the standards of conduct expected of public officers and the need to protect the integrity of public office,” the Presidency emphasized.
President Mahama acknowledged that the NDC, through its General Secretary, has already initiated its own internal investigations into the allegations surrounding the primaries.
Mr. Baba Jamal had previously defended reports of his campaign team distributing 32-inch television sets to delegates, describing the gesture as a non-influential act of goodwill rather than an attempt to sway votes. He insisted it was not linked to the election outcome.
The directive takes immediate effect, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs instructed to commence the required administrative and diplomatic procedures to facilitate the recall.
Mr. Baba Jamal’s participation in the Ayawaso East primaries had drawn attention, as he took a temporary leave from his diplomatic post to contest the seat ahead of an impending by-election in the constituency. His victory positioned him as the NDC’s flagbearer for the parliamentary race.