… says envoy shared TV sets, foodstuffs, other items to bribe delegates during NDC parliamentary primary
Government of Ghana has recalled its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed.
The envoy’s recall followed allegations linking him to electoral malpractice during a party primary election in Ghana.
His recall was ordered by President John Mahama and announced in a presidential statement issued on Saturday.
The statement said the directive took immediate effect, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed to carry out the necessary diplomatic and administrative processes.
The decision was connected to allegations of voter inducement and vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
Ahmed, who was serving as Ghana’s envoy to Nigeria at the time, was also a contestant in the primary election.
According to reports from the primary, items such as television sets and foodstuffs were distributed to delegates, actions that opponents and observers described as inducements. But the envoy maintained that the items were gestures of goodwill and not intended to influence voting.
Explaining the recall, the Ghanaian Presidency said, “The move was necessary to uphold the ethical standards expected of public officers and to avoid any perception of impropriety.”
It also cited concerns over a possible breach of Ghana’s Code of Conduct for political appointees, which regulates the political activities of serving officials.
The statement added, “The Ayawaso East primary was organised to select the NDC’s candidate for a parliamentary by-election following the death of the sitting member of parliament.
“Ahmed emerged as the winner of the contest, securing the highest number of votes among the aspirants.”
Meanwhile, the NDC has begun a probe of the allegations of inducement and other irregularities during the primary election.
The probe, party officials said, was aimed at protecting the integrity of the party’s internal democratic processes.
