Ghana President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal from his post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria following allegations of voter inducement during the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary yesterday.
The decision has been hailed as exemplary of a leader intent on sanitizing his country’s electoral process to weed out political corruption and clear the path for free and fair polls.
The controversy arose after footage circulated on social media showing delegates allegedly receiving 32-inch television sets said to have been distributed by Mr Jamal’s campaign team.
The decision to recall the High Commissioner was contained in a statement issued by the Presidency last night, according to a report in Ghana Graphic newspaper, monitored by People&Politics.
It followed controversy surrounding the Ayawaso East constituency primary in which Mr Jamal contested and emerged winner.
Reports suggested voters were induced with money and television sets.
In various media interviews, some voters admitted receiving television sets from a contestant.
The paper reported that, on his part, Jamal in a media interview, said he saw nothing wrong with giving out gifts, pointing out that this was not the first time he was giving out gifts.
According to Ghana Graphic, Jamal added that on numerous occasions, he gave out gifts and therefore, if he gave out gifts on Saturday, there was nothing wrong with that.
But the Presidency held a clearly contrary view. It said Jamal’s recall was prompted by allegations that some delegates were induced during the party’s internal election.
The statement, signed by presidential spokesperson, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said although allegations were made against several aspirants, Jamal was the only serving public officer among those involved.
“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 noted.
The recall takes immediate effect, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs was subsequently instructed to initiate the required administrative and diplomatic steps to carry out the directive.
Speaking on Channel One TV on the day of the primary, Mr Jamal defended the distribution of the items, describing them as gifts rather than inducements.
“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong, when you give things to people? This is the first time I am giving things to people,” he said.
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 suggested boiled eggs were also distributed to delegates during the primary.
The NDC in a a statement through its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has also 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 commenced 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 lead to tougher measures, including the cancellation of elections where evidence supports such claims.
Despite the controversy, the primary went ahead under tight security. Mr Jamal won with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes.
Mohammed Ramne secured 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow obtained 45 votes, while Najib Sani received one vote, according to provisional figures published by GhanaWeb and other media organisations.
The Electoral Commission has fixed March 3, 2025 for the Ayawaso East by-election.
The by-election follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Hon. Naser Toure.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Jamal.
