Ghana Recalls High Commissioner Over Election Vote-Buying

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has recalled the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, following allegations of electoral malpractice during internal party primaries.

The announcement, made through a presidential statement directs the Minister of Foreign Affairs to implement the recall with immediate effect. The decision comes after reports that Baba Jamal, while serving as a public officer and diplomat, engaged in vote-buying activities during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries for the Ayawaso East Constituency. Allegations include distributing gifts such as television sets and food items to delegates, actions described by opponents as voter inducement. In response, the NDC has initiated internal investigations into the alleged malpractice. Baba Jamal, however, has defended his actions, stating that the items were meant as gifts and not as inducements. The Ghanaian Presidency emphasized that the recall was necessary to uphold the integrity of public office and maintain the government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees, noting that Baba Jamal was the only public officeholder involved in the allegations.