Vote-buying allegations rock NDC primary as OSP launches probe, diplomat recalled

Ghana’s political landscape is facing renewed scrutiny over entrenched vote-buying practices following a controversial parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East constituency last Friday.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) primary, held on February 7, saw Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, declared winner with 431 votes. His closest rival, Hajia Amina Adam, polled 399 votes.

However, the victory has been clouded by widespread reports of inducements offered to delegates, including cash, 32-inch television sets, food items like boiled eggs, and various gifts.

In a swift response to the allegations, the NDC has condemned the reported acts and constituted a three-member investigative committee chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi. The committee is expected to submit its findings by Tuesday, February 10.

The party’s parliamentary caucus, led by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, has gone further, calling for the annulment of the primary results and the disqualification of any candidate found culpable of vote-buying.

The controversy has drawn in law enforcement. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced a formal investigation into the allegations. The probe will focus not only on the act of vote buying and selling but will also seek to uncover the sources of funding for such activities. The OSP’s investigation scope extends to similar allegations from the recent New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary.

In a significant development, President John Mahama has recalled High Commissioner Baba Jamal from his diplomatic post in Nigeria amid the ongoing controversy.

The incident has ignited a national conversation on the normalization of financial inducements in Ghanaian elections, a practice that analysts say distorts genuine political competition and undermines democratic integrity.

Political observers note that the high cost of campaigning, often funded by personal wealth, loans, or support from business elites expecting future returns, creates a cycle where financial muscle frequently overshadows policy merit.

Ghana’s laws, including the Criminal Offences Act and the Political Parties Act, explicitly criminalize vote buying and selling. However, enforcement has historically been inconsistent, allowing the practice to persist.

The current case presents a critical test for Ghana’s institutions and its commitment to cleansing the electoral process, as the nation looks toward future general elections.