The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has begun investigations into alleged vote-buying and other corrupt practices linked to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East constituency.
In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, the OSP said the investigations will focus on allegations of vote-buying, vote-selling, and the sources of funding for the alleged corrupt activities during both political events.
The NPP presidential primary, held on January 31, 2026, resulted in the victory of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, while the NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, conducted on February 8, 2026, was won by Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed.
Scope of the Investigations
According to the OSP, the probe will examine claims of inducements offered to delegates and the financial sources behind such actions.
“The investigations focus on allegations of vote buying, vote selling, and the sources of funding of the alleged corrupt acts,” the statement noted.
The Special Prosecutor further disclosed that a separate investigation has been launched into the alleged assault of an authorised OSP officer during the NDC primary in Ayawaso East. The statement alleged that one of the aspirants, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, incited individuals to physically attack the officer while he was carrying out investigations related to vote-buying and vote-selling claims.
OSP Warns Against Electoral Offences
The OSP reiterated that Ghanaian law strictly prohibits corrupt practices during elections, stressing that vote-buying, vote-selling, intimidation, threats of violence, and acts of violence constitute serious criminal offences.
During the NDC parliamentary primary, reports indicated that Baba Jamal distributed 32-inch television sets to delegates. However, he denied any wrongdoing, describing the gesture as an act of goodwill rather than an inducement. Similarly, during the NPP presidential primary, some delegates reportedly received money from certain candidates, prompting further scrutiny by the OSP.
Public Reactions
The OSP’s announcement generated mixed reactions on social media, with some members of the public welcoming the investigations as a sign of accountability, while others questioned aspects of the statement’s framing and scope.
Despite the varied responses, the OSP has maintained that its actions are guided by the law and its constitutional mandate to combat corruption and protect the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.
Investigations into the alleged vote-buying incidents remain ongoing.
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