Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency and Deputy General Secretary (Operations) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, says the recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria was necessary to allow for a thorough investigation into allegations surrounding the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
According to him, the party and the Presidency could not ignore the widespread concerns raised during the conduct of the primary and had a responsibility to examine whether any actions breached electoral rules or undermined the integrity of the party.
Speaking on Joy News on February 9 as monitored by NewsDesksGH, Gbande said their attention had been drawn to multiple complaints emerging from the election.
“It is important that in the midst of the widespread concerns that were raised, the party as a body would do proper analysis of the issue, proper investigation,” he stated.
He explained, “In order to determine whether they were either ethical issues or they were issues that breach the regulation of that election or they were issues that undermine the public integrity and credibility of the party, or is it the case that one persons active or conduct is likely to jeopardise the image of the party or put the party’s name into disrepute. All of these issues will only come out after you have done a thorough investigation.”
President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday, February 7, 2026, ordered the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his diplomatic post in a statement signed by Minister of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The recall followed allegations of voter inducement and vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primary for the Ayawaso East constituency, which Baba Jamal won earlier that day.
Videos circulating on social media during the election showed his campaign distributing 32-inch television sets, motorbikes and boiled eggs to delegates at voting centres.
While reports indicated that similar allegations were levelled against multiple aspirants, the Presidency explained that Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among the contestants, making his case subject to the Code of Conduct for Political Appointees.
Mustapha Gbande disclosed that the party has constituted a committee to investigate the matter.
“We found it necessary to institute a committee of eminent persons who are of that capacity and calibre to do the work. The committee is led by Honourable Totobi Quakyi. As much as possible within 2 or 3 days, they should bring their finding,” he said.
Addressing arguments that gift-giving is common during internal elections and questions about why Baba Jamal was singled out, Mr. Gbande stressed that Baba Jamal’s status placed a higher responsibility on him.
“Former MP, former minister and currently an ambassador. This is someone who understands the rules and plays by the rules.”
He added that the President was within his rights to take precautionary steps once an appointee becomes the subject of controversy.
“The mere fact that your name is in some controversy subject to investigation gives the President a recourse to take a certain remedial action to ensure that your presence as an office wielding individual does not subvert any investigation.”
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has also commenced investigations into the alleged vote-buying and inducement claims arising from the Ayawaso East primary.
