The Government of Ghana has withdrawn its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed, amid allegations linking him to electoral misconduct during a party primary election.
The recall, ordered by President John Mahama, was announced in a presidential statement released on Saturday. It stated that the directive took immediate effect, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mandated to complete all diplomatic and administrative procedures.
According to the Presidency, the decision followed accusations of voter inducement and vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency. Ahmed, who was Ghana’s envoy to Nigeria at the time, also participated in the contest.
Reports from the primary alleged that items including television sets and foodstuffs were shared with delegates, actions critics and election observers described as inducements. Ahmed has denied wrongdoing, insisting the items were merely goodwill gestures and not meant to sway voters.
Explaining the action, the Presidency said, “The move was necessary to uphold the ethical standards expected of public officers and to avoid any perception of impropriety.” It added that there were concerns the episode may have violated Ghana’s Code of Conduct for political appointees, which restricts political engagement by serving officials.
The statement further noted that the Ayawaso East primary was held to select the NDC’s candidate for a parliamentary by-election, following the death of the constituency’s sitting lawmaker. “Ahmed emerged as the winner of the contest, securing the highest number of votes among the aspirants,” it said.
Meanwhile, the NDC has announced it will conduct an internal investigation into the allegations of inducement and other irregularities linked to the primary. Party officials said the probe is intended to safeguard the credibility of the party’s internal democratic processes.
