Vote buying allegation in NDC Ayawaso East primary, OSP launches investigations and accuses Baba Jamal of instigating assault on OSP officer

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says it has started an investigation into alleged vote buying and vote selling during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary on January 31, 2026.

Also under investigation by the OSP for the same reason is Saturday's parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress  (NDC) in the Ayawaso East constituency in Accra. 

According to the OSP, it has also opened a separate inquiry into an alleged assault of one of its officers who was deployed on the field during the NDC Ayawaso East primary on Saturday and was assaulted when he tried to serve Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, the eventual winner of the parliamentary primary, with a notice of investigation into the alleged vote buying.

In a public notice published on Sunday [February 8, 2026], the OSP said the investigations cover the NPP presidential primary held on January 31, 2026, as well as ongoing inquiries into the NDC parliamentary primary conducted at Ayawaso East on February 7, 2026.

• President Mahama recalls Baba Jamal from Nigeria as High Commissioner over vote buying allegations in Ayawaso East NDC primary
• NDC condemns vote-buying in Ayawaso East primary, launches investigation
• Baba Jamal wins Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primary

The Office of the Special Prosecutor(OSP) has commenced investigation in respect of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries conducted on 31 January 2026.

On 7 February 2026, the OSP commenced real-time investigation in respect of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries at the Ayawaso East constituency.

The investigations focus on allegations of vote buying, vote selling, and the sources of funding of the alleged corrupt acts.

During the conduct of the NDC parliamentary primaries at the Ayawaso East constituency on 7 February 2026, one of the candidates - Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed- allegedly abetted thugs to physically attack an officer of the OSP, who was serving an investigative directive on him in relation to vote buying and vote selling.

Consequently, the OSP has opened further investigation into the assault of an authorised officer of the OSP in the performance of his functions in relation to Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed.

The OSP reminds the public that the law prohibits corrupt acts in relation to public elections. It is a serious offence to engage in vote buying, vote selling, intimidation, threats of violence, and acts of violence in relation to elections.

“The investigations relate to allegations of vote buying, vote selling and the sources of funding of the alleged corrupt acts,” the OSP stated.

According to the notice, during the NDC parliamentary primary on Saturday [February 7] one of the candidates, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, allegedly aided and abetted persons described as thugs to physically attack an officer from the OSP.

The officer was said to be serving Baba Jamal with an investigative directive linked to allegations of vote buying and vote selling.

“Consequently, the Office has opened a further investigation into the alleged assault of an authorised officer of the Office in the performance of his functions in relation to Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed,” the OSP said.

The Office reminded the public that corrupt acts linked to public elections are prohibited by law.

“It is a serious offence to engage in vote buying, vote selling, intimidation, threats of violence and acts of violence in relation to elections,” the Office warned.

The OSP’s inquiry into the Ayawaso East NDC primary follows reports of voter inducement during the exercise.

Baba Jamal won the primary with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes. Mohammed Ramne obtained 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow secured 45 votes, while Najib Sani received one vote.

President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday recalled Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, citing the need to protect the integrity of public office.

The NDC has also set up a three-member committee chaired by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi to probe the allegations. Other members of the committee are the Majority Leader in Parliment, Mahama Ayariga, and Ms Emefa Fugah, a legal practitioner.

The NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, condemned the incidents, saying they “represent an affront to the values and principles of the party”.