Introduction: A Controversial Stand in Ghanaian Politics

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), one of Ghana’s two major political parties, has announced that it will proceed with Mohammed Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate for the imminent Ayawaso East by-election. This decision comes in the wake of an internal party investigation that uncovered widespread vote-buying allegations during the constituency’s February 7, 2026, parliamentary primaries. The resolution, communicated by NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey following a meeting of the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC), has ignited intense public discourse on electoral integrity, party discipline, and the credibility of internal democratic processes within Ghana’s political landscape.

This development raises critical questions: How can a party committed to democratic principles field a candidate whose victory is tainted by credible inducement claims? What does this mean for the NDC’s image ahead of a crucial by-election? And what systemic reforms are being proposed to eradicate the entrenched culture of delegate bribery? This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized, and pedagogically structured analysis of the situation, examining the NDC’s decision, the vote-buying probe findings, the broader context of Ghanaian primaries, and the potential ramifications for the Ayawaso East constituency and national politics.

Key Points: The Core Facts of the NDC’s Decision

Before delving into analysis, it is essential to crystallize the fundamental facts as reported by Life Pulse Daily and verified through the party’s official channels:

• Candidate Retention: The NDC’s Functional Executive Committee has officially endorsed Mohammed Baba Jamal to represent the party in the upcoming Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, despite the pending vote-buying investigation.
• Probe Findings: A three-member investigative committee, appointed by the party, submitted a report confirming that “inappropriate behavior was exhibited by almost all the aspirants” during the February 7th primary. This behavior specifically included offering material inducements (such as television sets and cash) to delegates.
• New Reform Committee: In response, a new, seven-member committee has been constituted by the NDC leadership. Its mandate is to design and implement “sweeping reforms” aimed at permanently addressing and eliminating the systemic issue of vote-buying in party primaries.
• General Secretary’s Statement: Fifi Kwetey framed the decision to retain Baba Jamal as a separate administrative action from the disciplinary findings, emphasizing the need for continuity in the specific constituency while acknowledging the broader problem requires structural solutions.

These points establish the factual bedrock: a candidate implicated in a verified pattern of inducement remains the standard-bearer, while the party promises future corrective action. This creates an immediate tension between accountability and electoral pragmatism.

Background: Understanding the Ayawaso East Context and Ghana’s Primary System

To grasp the significance of this decision, one must understand the specific and general contexts at play.

The Ayawaso East Constituency and the By-Election

The Ayawaso East constituency is located within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It is a densely populated, urban area with a significant youth demographic. The by-election became necessary following the vacancy of the parliamentary seat. For the NDC, retaining or capturing this seat is strategically important for maintaining a strong foothold in the capital region and for overall parliamentary numbers. The selection of a candidate is therefore a high-stakes process, often marred by intense competition and, historically, financial inducements.

The Role of Parliamentary Primaries in Ghanaian Politics

In Ghana’s dominant two-party system (NDC and New Patriotic Party – NPP), the real electoral battle in many “safe” seats is often won or lost during the party’s parliamentary primaries. These internal elections determine who will carry the party’s flag in the general election. Delegates, typically elected from polling stations, hold the voting power. This delegate system has consistently been criticized as a fertile ground for vote-buying, as aspirants invest heavily in short-term incentives to secure delegate loyalty, a practice widely seen as corrupting the essence of representative democracy.

Mohammed Baba Jamal: A Controversial Figure

Baba Jamal Mohammed (often styled Mohammed Baba Jamal) is a known political figure within the NDC, with a history of contested primaries and a reputation as a formidable grassroots mobilizer. His previous attempts to secure the Ayawaso East nomination have been contentious. His association with the February 7th primary’s inducement scandal, as per the party’s own probe, is not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern in his political career, making him a polarizing figure within the constituency and the party.

Ghana’s Legal Framework on Vote-Buying

Ghana’s Representation of the People Act, 1992 (Act 27) explicitly criminalizes bribery and undue influence in elections. Section 13 outlines offenses including giving, offering, or promising any gift or inducement to influence a vote. While this law primarily applies to general elections, its principles are often extended by analogy to internal party polls, which are governed by each party’s constitution and regulations. However, enforcement within private party primaries is historically weak, relying almost entirely on internal party disciplinary mechanisms, which are frequently perceived as inconsistent and politically motivated.

Analysis: Deconstructing the NDC’s Decision and Its Implications

The NDC’s announcement is a complex political calculus with multiple layers of intent and consequence. It is not merely a personnel decision but a statement on the party’s current priorities and its approach to a perennial problem.

The “Pragmatism Over Principle” Argument

The most straightforward interpretation is that of electoral pragmatism. The party’s leadership may believe that Baba Jamal, despite the scandal, possesses the strongest grassroots network, name recognition, or financial resources to win the by-election. The FEC may have calculated that the negative publicity from dropping a candidate post-probe would cause more internal division and voter alienation than the negative publicity of fielding a candidate with a tainted victory. This prioritizes short-term by-election victory over long-term moral authority.

Precedent and the “Everyone Did It” Defense

The probe’s finding that “almost all the aspirants” engaged in inappropriate behavior is crucial. This establishes a systemic problem rather than an isolated incident. By highlighting this, the party leadership can frame the issue as a collective failing of the primary system itself, thereby diluting the specific culpability of any single candidate. This narrative makes it harder to singularly disqualify Baba Jamal without appearing to selectively enforce rules, which could fracture the party. It shifts the focus from individual sin to systemic reform.

Separating the “Primary Offense” from the “By-Election Candidacy”

The NDC’s structure appears to treat the internal primary and the subsequent by-election as two distinct contests. The logic seems to be: the primary was flawed, but the candidate who emerged (Baba Jamal) is now the party’s asset for the wider public contest. This is a legally and politically risky separation. The public, especially opponents, will seamlessly connect the vote-buying in the primary with the candidate’s integrity in the by-election. The NDC is betting that the Ayawaso East electorate will either not care or will prioritize party loyalty over procedural purity.

The Credibility of the New Seven-Member Reform Committee

The announcement of a new committee for “sweeping reforms” is a classic damage-control and future-looking tactic. Its effectiveness will hinge on several factors:

• Composition: Are its members independent, respected figures or party loyalists with no enforcement power?
• Mandate & Power: Does it have the authority to impose binding sanctions, change delegate selection rules, or recommend candidate vetting criteria?
• Transparency: Will its proceedings and recommendations be made public?
• Timeline: Will reforms be implemented before the next major internal election?

Without concrete, transparent, and enforceable outcomes, this committee risks being perceived as a “talk shop” designed to placate critics without enacting real change, thereby reinforcing cynicism about the party’s commitment to cleaning up its primaries.

Political Risks and Opponent Weaponization

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and civil society organizations will almost certainly use this decision as a central campaign weapon. They will frame the NDC as a party that normalizes corruption and rewards electoral misconduct. Slogans like “NDC: The Party of Vote-Buyers” will dominate opposition rhetoric. This could demoralize the NDC’s own base, particularly reform-minded members and floating voters who prioritize integrity. The decision may also energize NPP supporters in Ayawaso East, turning the by-election into a referendum on the NDC’s ethical standards rather than local issues.

Practical Advice: Pathways Forward for the NDC and Democratic Health

Given the fallout, what concrete steps can be taken to mitigate damage and foster long-term health?

For the NDC Leadership:

• Immediate Transparency: The FEC must publish the full, unredacted report of the three-member investigative committee. Secrecy fuels conspiracy theories. Publicly detailing the evidence against Baba Jamal and others would at least demonstrate a commitment to transparency, even if the final candidacy decision remains unchanged.
• Empower the Reform Committee: The seven-member committee must be given a clear, public timeline and the authority to propose constitutional amendments to the NDC’s rules. Proposed reforms should include: a shift from a delegate system to a direct, one-member-one-vote primary for future contests; strict limits and full public disclosure of all primary campaign expenditures; and an independent, party-funded electoral commission to oversee primaries with the power to disqualify candidates for proven inducements.
• Conditional Candidacy: As a symbolic gesture of accountability, the party could attach a formal, public reprim