President Mahama orders the immediate recall of Ghana’s envoy
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has ordered the recall of Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal, after allegations of voter inducement during the NDC’s by-election primary in Ayawaso East.
The directive, issued on Saturday through a statement from Presidency Communications and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, represents one of the most decisive administrative actions taken in Mahama’s second term.
Beyond its immediate political impact, the recall has been positioned as a broader statement on probity in public office, a principle the presidency says must guide conduct regardless of political affiliation or internal party processes.
READ ALSO: Zambian President Backs Ghana’s Fugu After Online Mockery
At the heart of the decision is not only the Ayawaso East contest, but a wider question confronting Ghana’s political culture: can holders of public office clearly separate state responsibility from partisan ambition?
Baba Jamal was among several aspirants contesting the NDC primary when allegations of voter inducement emerged. However, the presidency noted that he was the only serving public officer among those accused, a status that subjected him to a higher ethical standard.
While the NDC has confirmed that it has opened an internal investigation into the matter, the president made it clear that delaying action would risk blurring the line between party politics and public duty.
In his directive to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mahama stressed that the recall does not amount to a presumption of guilt, but rather reflects the expectations placed on senior state appointees, particularly diplomats who represent Ghana beyond its borders.
According to the presidency, even the perception of impropriety can undermine Ghana’s international standing and public confidence in its institutions.
The recall takes effect immediately, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed to implement all diplomatic and administrative steps without delay. Ghana’s High Commission in Abuja, a key post for regional diplomacy, trade and security cooperation, will operate under interim leadership until further notice.
Civil society groups have cautiously welcomed the move as a signal that ethical standards are being taken seriously at the highest level. Within the NDC, some voices have urged that similar standards must be applied consistently to avoid perceptions of selective enforcement.
As Ghana moves toward another competitive electoral cycle, the decision is widely seen as a defining moment — one that signals a presidency prepared to prioritise institutional integrity over political convenience.
One Comment