NDC Functional Executive Committee confirms Baba Jamal as Ayawaso East by-election candidate amid vote-buying controversy

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Functional Executive Committee (FEC) has formally confirmed Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the March 3, 2026, by-election in the Ayawaso East Constituency, setting the stage for a closely watched contest following the death of the late Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama.

Baba Jamal, a former Deputy Minister and Ghana’s recently recalled High Commissioner to Nigeria, emerged victorious in the NDC’s parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7, 2026. He secured 431 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes.

The primary, however, was immediately overshadowed by allegations of vote buying and inducements, triggering intense scrutiny from the party’s leadership, civil society groups, and state investigative bodies.

Following the contest, the NDC leadership publicly condemned reports of bribery and vote buying and constituted a three-member investigative committee to probe the matter. The committee was chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Inusah Fuseini and lawyer Emefa Fugah as members.

The panel was tasked to investigate allegations that delegates were induced with various items, including television sets, food items, and other material incentives, purportedly to influence the outcome of the primary. The committee submitted its report to the NDC Functional Executive Committee on February 10, 2026. While the contents of the report have not been made public, party officials indicated that the findings and recommendations were carefully reviewed before the FEC took a final decision on the candidature.

After considering the report, the FEC confirmed Baba Jamal as the duly elected parliamentary candidate, paving the way for him to lead the party into the March 3 by-election.

Throughout the period of investigation, Baba Jamal consistently denied all allegations of vote buying and electoral misconduct. He described the claims as baseless and insisted that his victory was secured through legitimate campaigning, his political track record, and the confidence delegates reposed in him. He appeared before the party’s investigative panel and pledged his full cooperation with all inquiries.

Beyond the party’s internal processes, the controversy also attracted the attention of the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Baba Jamal was invited and questioned as part of preliminary investigations into alleged vote buying and related incidents arising from the primary. The probe reportedly covered allegations of corruption and other electoral-related offences. No formal charges have so far been filed, and investigations remain ongoing. Baba Jamal was later granted self-recognition bail.

The episode has sparked wider public debate on the conduct of internal party elections in Ghana. Civil society organisations, including OccupyGhana, have called for the criminalisation of vote buying in party primaries, arguing that such practices undermine democratic values and create avenues for corruption within the political system.

At the same time, some party elders and supporters have appealed for calm and unity within the NDC, urging members to accept the outcome of the internal processes and focus on winning the by-election. They argue that prolonged internal disputes could weaken the party’s chances in a constituency regarded as politically significant.

The Ayawaso East by-election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the death of Naser Toure Mahama in January 2026. With the NDC now officially rallying behind Baba Jamal, attention is shifting to the campaign ahead, as both major political parties position themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested race.

By: Bawa Musah

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