The fallout from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East has taken another turn, with Mussa Dankwah, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, calling for the immediate intervention of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
In a post on Facebook after the polls on Saturday, 7th February 2026, the influential pollster argued that the integrity of the government’s accountability agenda hinges on how it handles the corruption allegations that marred Saturday’s vote.
Baba Jamal won the primary with 431 votes to secure 45%, with his closest contender, Hajia Amina Adam, securing 399 votes (41%) in a contest marred by vote-buying allegations.
Mr Dankwah insists that administrative sanctions are insufficient for what he describes as criminal interference in the democratic process.
“The president must refer what happened in the Ayawaso East to the OSP if we are to take the reset agenda seriously,” Mr Dankwah posted on Facebook, sparking a firestorm of debate regarding the legal consequences for those involved.
Diplomatic fallout: Baba Jamal recalled from Nigeria High Commission
In a swift move to preserve the government’s commitment to transparency, President John Dramani Mahama has officially recalled Baba Jamal, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, who is at the centre of the controversy.
According to the Presidency, while allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple contestants, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among those who participated in the primary, making his situation distinct.
“The President noted that, while the allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primaries, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them,” a statement released by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said.
The release also acknowledged a public statement by the NDC’s General Secretary released earlier, indicating that the party had commenced its own internal investigations into the allegations arising from the polls.
Candidate Baba Jamal has allegedly been involved in vote-buying, with reports claiming he distributed 32-inch Nanco television sets to delegates ahead of the NDC Ayawaso primaries.
The team also distributed boiled eggs to delegates, a move that triggered brief jostling among some voters who attempted to access the food items.
Baba Jamal defends “benevolence” amidst corruption claims
Speaking to the media during the elections, Baba Jamal confirmed the distribution of the goodies but insisted that the gesture was not intended to influence voting decisions.
“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong with it when you give things to people?” he asked. “Is this the first time I am giving things to people?”
He explained that his actions were consistent with his long-standing personal practice of supporting people financially and materially, stressing that generosity had always been part of his public life.
“Those of you who know me know that every Christmas, every occasion, every instance, I have put down GHS 2.5 million in free loans to give free loans to people,” he said. “So if today people are coming to vote and we are giving them something—what is wrong with that?”
Baba Jamal argued that the ethical issue was not the act of giving itself, but whether such gifts were allowed to influence voters’ choices.
READ ALSO: Ayawaso East NDC Primary: Baba Jamal campaign distributes TV sets, food to delegates
“If somebody gives you a gift, you can take it,” he stated. “But allowing that gift to influence your vote is what is wrong. It is not the gift; it is allowing that gift to influence your vote that makes it wrong.”
He further justified the gesture as part of basic hospitality, noting that it would be unreasonable to gather delegates for an important political exercise without providing some form of support.
“You think you can bring all these people together and not give them water?” he asked. “It is not the item; it is the intention.”
The aspirant maintained that his campaign had focused primarily on engagement and dialogue rather than inducements, adding that he had interacted extensively with party members and delegates ahead of the primary.
“I don’t think that I have gone wrong,” he said. “I have spoken to them and met people. That is why I am still saying that I hope and trust that they will still reason with me and come along with me.”
