Executive Director of the African Institute for Strategic Studies, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against making Baba Jamal a scapegoat in the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged vote buying in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, February 9, 2026, Dr Otchere stressed that the investigation must be fair and transparent, and should not assume guilt before the committee completes its work.
The political analyst warned that treating vote buying allegations as the actions of a single person would be misleading, suggesting instead that inducement has become systemic within political contests.
It is not a single person who got involved in such a situation, Dr Otchere explained, arguing that deeper and broader networks may be responsible for the persistence of the problem.
He added that other pockets are deeper than others and that is probably the more reason why this has become a problem.
Dr Otchere raised concern over the growing normalisation of vote buying and voter inducement in Ghana’s political space, describing it as a soft culture that is gradually becoming entrenched.
There is not a single soul within our body politics that will say that they agree when it comes to this voter inducement, whether you call it vote buying or whichever way you look at it, it has gradually become a soft culture, he stated.
The political analyst’s comments come amid allegations of inducements during the NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, which prompted the party to establish a three member committee to investigate the matter.
While praising the NDC’s decision to probe the allegations, Dr Otchere stressed that at the end of the day, we should be able to see a report that, in the eyes of the public, is worth reading.
He described the move as an important and timely step toward addressing the growing culture of voter inducement in Ghana’s political landscape, noting it is probably the very first time that the two main parties, at the national level, have decided to look into this particular issue.
The investigative committee chaired by Kofi Totobi Quakyi, a former Minister of Information, was given a February 10 deadline to submit its report and recommend appropriate sanctions if individuals are found culpable.
The committee examined claims that aspirants offered inducements, including cash and television sets, to delegates during the February 7 primary. According to NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey, the report found that inappropriate conduct was exhibited by virtually all the candidates.
Baba Jamal, who was declared winner of the primary by the Electoral Commission (EC), polled 431 of the 964 valid votes cast, defeating his closest challenger, Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, who secured 399 votes.
The NDC announced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, that it would proceed with Baba Jamal as its candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election despite unresolved allegations, citing constitutional and time constraints.
President John Dramani Mahama on February 7, 2026, directed the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria following the allegations of voter inducement.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Sunday, February 8, 2026, announced the commencement of investigation into allegations of vote buying, vote selling, and the sources of funding of the alleged corrupt acts during the NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
Dr Otchere commended the NDC’s decision, describing it as a rare and important step by a major political party at the national level, saying the move signals that the party frowns upon such conduct and recognises the need to protect internal electoral credibility.
He noted that vote buying, regardless of how it is framed, remains unacceptable and condemnable, but cautioned that the practice is no longer isolated and may be more widespread than often acknowledged.
The political scientist argued that the practice of offering incentives to delegates and voters during internal party elections has become widespread, despite broad public condemnation.
The Ayawaso East Constituency parliamentary seat became vacant following the demise of the sitting NDC Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, on January 4, 2026, necessitating the party’s primary to elect a candidate for the by-election scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected Baba Ali Yussif as its candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election, setting the stage for a contest between the two major political parties.
Dr Otchere, a political scientist and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, serves as Executive Director of the African Institute for Strategic Studies, a research and policy advocacy organisation focused on political governance, security studies, and development policy in Africa.