President Mahama Appoints Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu as Ghana’s High Commissioner-Designate to Nigeria

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu as Ghana’s High Commissioner-designate to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The announcement was officially made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, March 1, 2026. According to the ministry, the appointment will take effect after the completion of the required diplomatic and administrative processes.

The appointment follows the recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, widely known as Baba Jamal, who previously served as Ghana’s envoy to Nigeria. His recall came after he declared his intention to contest the Ayawaso East by-election following the passing of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Nasser Mahama Toure.

Baba Jamal had earlier been recalled on February 7, 2026, amid allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency, a contest he won while seeking to replace the late MP.

A New Diplomatic Direction

The appointment of Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu is seen as a move by President Mahama to reposition Ghana’s diplomatic engagement with Nigeria while entrusting the role to a prominent figure within the governing party.

Baba Sadiq is a well-known personality in Ghana’s creative and media industries. He recently served as the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei Central during the 2024 general elections.

His new diplomatic role marks a significant transition from active domestic politics to international representation. As High Commissioner-designate, he will be responsible for advancing Ghana’s interests in Nigeria and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Strengthening Ghana-Nigeria Relations

Ghana and Nigeria maintain longstanding historical, cultural, and economic ties. However, relations between the two countries have occasionally faced challenges, including trade disputes, migration concerns, and regulatory issues affecting businesses operating across both markets.

Baba Sadiq is expected to assume office at a critical time when sustained diplomatic engagement and strategic collaboration are essential to deepening cooperation between Accra and Abuja.