The Ghanaian government has recalled its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Ahmed, over alleged involvement in electoral malpractice during the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Presidency in Accra on Saturday, following accusations of voter inducement that trailed the conduct of the primaries held the same day.
Ahmed, who reportedly contested in the exercise, was recalled with immediate effect due to concerns over his alleged role in the incident while serving as a public officer.
The Presidency said the action was taken to prevent any perception of impropriety and to ensure compliance with the government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees.
It noted that the continued stay of the High Commissioner in office had become untenable under the circumstances, even though allegations of vote-buying were said to involve more than one aspirant.
According to the statement, President John Mahama directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effect the recall after the NDC’s General Secretary announced that the party had commenced investigations into the allegations arising from the primaries.
The President stressed that the decision was taken without prejudice to the ongoing internal party probe, but in line with the standards of conduct expected of public office holders.
The statement added that necessary administrative and diplomatic steps had been ordered to ensure the immediate implementation of the directive.
