The Ghanaian political landscape was rocked this week as President John Dramani Mahama took the unprecedented step of recalling Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed. The decision, which took effect on February 8, 2026, follows a weekend of chaotic scenes in the Ayawaso East constituency that have left the National Democratic Congress (NDC) scrambling to manage a burgeoning PR nightmare.
The Allegations: Televisions, Cash, and Chaos
What began as a standard parliamentary primary turned into a digital firestorm. By Saturday afternoon, social media was flooded with high-definition videos allegedly showing Baba Jamal’s campaign team offloading trucks filled with 43-inch smart TVs and distributing envelopes of cash to delegates.
Observers from the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) reported that the distribution was blatant, occurring just meters away from polling booths. While Jamal initially dismissed these as “benevolent gifts to long-term associates,” the volume and timing—occurring exactly 48 hours before the vote—have led to accusations of systemic voter inducement.
A Breach of Diplomatic Protocol
The recall is not just about the primary; it’s about the “sanctity of the diplomatic mission.” Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggest that Jamal had been warned months ago about balancing his duties in Abuja with his political ambitions in Accra.
By abandoning his post to engage in a primary characterized by “monetization,” the Presidency argued that Jamal had compromised his standing as a representative of the state. “A High Commissioner must be above reproach,” a spokesperson stated. “When you trade the diplomatic pouch for a bag of campaign cash, you lose the right to represent the Republic.”
The OSP Moves In
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has already moved to freeze several bank accounts associated with the campaign. If the OSP can prove that the $8 million allegedly funneled into this single primary came from unexplained wealth or state-adjacent sources, Baba Jamal could face charges far more serious than a simple political recall.
