President John Dramani Mahama has recalled Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed with immediate effect.
The decision, according to a statement from the Presidency, follows allegations of voter inducement in National Democratic Congress’ Ayawaso East primaries held on Saturday.
Baba Jamal emerged as winner, beating off competition from widow of the late Member of Parliament Mahama Naser Toure.
“In his directive to the Minister for Foreign Affairs recalling Baba Jamal as High Commissioner, 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,” the statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, clarified.
Prior to the decision, the NDC had served notice of investigating the incidents of vote buying that characterised the primaries.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing internal party processes, and strictly in view of the standards of conduct expected of public officers, the President considers it necessary to act decisively to preserve the integrity of public office and to avoid any perception of impropriety or conflict with the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees,” the statement noted.
The President has asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary administrative and diplomatic steps to give effect to the decision.