President Mahama Recalls Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Over Allegations

Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Mr. Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed (Baba Jamal) from his position as Ghana's High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A statement issued by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications, stated that the decision follows allegations of voter inducement in Saturday's National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency, in which Mr. Baba Jamal, a candidate, participated. According to Ghana News Agency, the President's directive to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to recall Mr. Baba Jamal as High Commissioner was influenced by the fact that, while multiple candidates were accused of vote-buying during the primaries, Mr. Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them. The statement emphasized the necessity of maintaining the integrity of public office, underscoring the importance of the standards of conduct expected from public off icers. The statement also highlighted the public announcement by the General Secretary of the NDC, indicating that the Party had initiated its own investigations into the allegations stemming from the primaries. The President, while acknowledging these internal party processes, deemed it essential to act decisively in order to uphold the Government's Code of Conduct for Political Appointees and to preclude any perception of impropriety or conflict. The recall is effective immediately, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs instructed to undertake the necessary administrative and diplomatic procedures to implement this directive.