The political landscape in Ghana's Ayawaso East constituency has been significantly stirred following allegations of widespread vote-buying and inducement during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary, held on Saturday, February 7, 2026. This internal election was a critical step in preparing for the forthcoming Ayawaso East by-election, scheduled for March 3, 2026, which became necessary after the passing of the long-serving MP, Naser Toure Mahama, in January 2026. The Electoral Commission (EC) has already scheduled an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting for February 11, 2026, at its Accra headquarters to discuss the by-election's conduct and organization.

The primary saw Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed emerge victorious with 431 votes, narrowly defeating Hajia Amina Adam, the late MP's widow, who secured 399 votes. Other aspirants included Mohammed Ramne (88 votes), Dr Yakubu Azindow (45 votes), and Najib Mohammed Sani (1 vote). This victory marked an improvement for Baba Jamal, who had previously polled 309 votes in the 2023 NDC primary for the same constituency. However, the triumph was swiftly overshadowed by serious allegations that delegates had been influenced with items such as 32-inch television sets, coolers, and boiled eggs, prompting widespread criticism. Baba Jamal admitted to distributing television sets but staunchly denied that these were intended to buy votes, asserting a history of supporting his constituents.

The allegations triggered immediate and robust reactions from multiple fronts. President John Dramani Mahama, on the same day as the primary, ordered Baba Jamal’s immediate recall from his post as Ghana's High Commissioner to Nigeria, citing his status as a public officer amid the controversy. The NDC leadership responded by condemning the alleged conduct and promptly established a three-member committee, chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Inusah Fuseini (replacing Mahama Ayariga) and Emefa Fugah as members. This committee was tasked with investigating the vote-buying claims, assessing their impact on the integrity of the internal electoral process, and recommending sanctions for any culpable individuals. It was given a tight deadline, with its report expected by Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, emphasized that the probe would extend to both those who allegedly gave and those who received inducements, aiming to thoroughly address the root of the controversy and restore party credibility.

Concurrently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) announced its own investigations into alleged vote-buying and vote-selling linked to the Ayawaso East primary, as well as similar claims from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries. The OSP clarified that its investigations are impartial and evidence-based, dismissing claims of selective targeting. Special attention was given to the NDC case due to an alleged assault on an OSP officer during attempts to serve investigative documents at the primary. Furthermore, the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament publicly called for the annulment of the primary results and the disqualification of any candidates found guilty of vote-buying, signaling deep internal unease within the party.

Civil society organizations also voiced strong condemnation. Crusaders Against Corruption issued a press release, denouncing vote-buying as unlawful and a fundamental threat to democratic integrity, calling on President Mahama to ensure swift enforcement by state investigative bodies against all implicated parties. They highlighted that such practices violate Ghana's electoral laws, including the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127) and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The group also pressed the OSP to account for its application of these laws in past vote-buying cases. Election Watch Ghana raised similar alarms, pointing out a loophole in the Representation of the People Law, 1992, which prohibits vote-buying in general elections but not explicitly in internal party primaries. Richard Ahiagbah, NPP Director of Communications, echoed these concerns, describing the incidents as egregious and a distortion of democracy.

Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, delivered a scathing critique, stating that vote-buying represents corruption at the very foundation of the democratic process. He warned that such inducements transform governance into a transactional pursuit, where leaders prioritize recovering campaign costs and personal benefit over public service. Edem Senanu, Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption, however, commended the NDC for its swift and decisive response, praising the party's condemnation and the establishment of an investigative committee as a model for tackling corruption in internal party processes.

Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed's political journey has been marked by fierce contests and controversies. Born in Akwatia in 1969, his background in law and international politics laid the groundwork for his career. He served as Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Member of Parliament for Akwatia from 2013 to 2017, and held deputy ministerial positions. His political career included protracted courtroom battles in Akwatia, notably after the 2008 parliamentary election, and a defeat in 2016. A controversial gesture saw him donate equipment to a local NPP office, dividing opinion within his own party. His appointment as Ghana's High Commissioner to Nigeria under John Dramani Mahama reflected his standing, a diplomatic chapter now abruptly ended by the Ayawaso East primary saga.

Despite denying any wrongdoing and pledging cooperation with all investigations, Baba Jamal's decision to contest the primary while still serving as a diplomat, and the subsequent allegations, have placed him at the center of a national debate. This unfolding situation highlights broader tensions within Ghana’s democratic practice, raising crucial questions about internal party discipline, the integrity of elections, and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws. The outcomes of the ongoing investigations and the by-election itself are anticipated to shape future internal electoral conduct across Ghana’s political divide.