The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has formally withdrawn allegations of fraud he levelled against the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, regarding the ongoing security services recruitment exercise.

The retraction and apology were delivered on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 4 March, following a directive by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who had referred the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee over claims deemed potentially contemptuous.

The referral was prompted by a complaint from the Interior Minister, who described the allegations as unfounded and harmful to his reputation.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier alleged that the involvement of a third-party IT firm in the recruitment process amounted to a scam and imposed an unfair financial burden on applicants.

Addressing the House, the Minority Leader clarified his position and withdrew the claims.

“Mr Speaker, I will not do that to hurt him or tarnish his reputation, and if the text of my concern reflected so, it is hereby accordingly withdrawn. I assure you that concerns that will arise out of any matter shall be properly brought to his attention,” he stated.

In response, Mr Muntaka said the accusations had been distressing, particularly given their seriousness.

“It is painful to be wrongly accused and be labelled differently from the intention that you have, especially when it is connected with heavy wrongdoing. I am heavily hurt and heavily worried, but who am I to say that I will not accept when my colleague comes to apologise? I accept it wholeheartedly,” he said.

The Interior Minister further appealed to the Speaker to have the matter expunged from the official parliamentary record, expressing the hope that it would be treated as though it had not occurred.

The development brings a temporary close to the dispute, as both sides signal a willingness to move forward.

The Electoral Commission on Tuesday declared Baba Jamal of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, as the winner of the Ayawaso East by-election held on March 3.

According to official results announced Tuesday evening, the MP-elect secured 10,884 votes, comfortably ahead of his closest contender, Baba Ali Yussif of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, who obtained 4,009 votes.

Independent candidate Mohammed Umar Sanda garnered 1,885 votes, while David Kanor received 104 votes. Ibrahim Iddrisu, representing the Liberal Party of Ghana, recorded 43 votes.

Out of 17,048 ballots cast, 16,928 were deemed valid, with 120 rejected.

The by-election was conducted to fill the parliamentary vacancy following the passing of the late Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, in January.

Voting took place across multiple polling stations in the constituency. Although early turnout appeared modest, some observers suggested that the Ramadan fasting period may have influenced the pace of participation during the initial hours.

Security arrangements featured prominently throughout the exercise. Ahead of polling, the Ghana Police Service assured residents of adequate measures to maintain law and order before, during, and after the vote. Officers were deployed to designated polling stations and other strategic points within the constituency.

Police officials described the process as calm and orderly, indicating that security presence was sufficient as counting and collation proceeded. The Inspector General of Police also toured selected polling centres as voting concluded.

Following the official declaration, supporters of Baba Jamal gathered in parts of the constituency to celebrate the outcome.

Pre-election projections had pointed to a strong showing for the NDC candidate, a trend that was reflected in the final results announced by the Electoral Commission.

A total of 49,966 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots today in the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election to choose a new representative in Parliament.

The poll follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, who passed away in January at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Candidates and Ballot Positions

At the close of nominations and balloting on February 12, 2026, the National Democratic Congress candidate, Baba Jamal, secured the first position on the ballot.

Ibrahim Iddrisu, representing the Liberal Party of Ghana, drew the second slot, while Yussif Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party placed third.

Two independent candidates, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Sanda and David Kannor, occupy the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The outcome of today’s vote will determine who takes over the Ayawaso East seat in Parliament.

Electoral Commission Assures Readiness

The Electoral Commission of Ghana has expressed confidence in its preparedness for the exercise.

A Director of the Commission, Sam Dottoh Kwaah, indicated that all categories of election officials had been recruited and trained. He disclosed that two Biometric Verification Devices had been deployed to each of the 113 polling stations in the constituency.

According to him, ballot papers as well as Statement of Poll and Declaration of Results forms were printed and delivered to the constituency ahead of the polls.

Heavy Security Deployment

The Ghana Police Service has announced the deployment of about 80 officers to each polling station as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Asong Ayrakwa, Deputy Nima District Police Commander, assured residents that adequate personnel would be on standby to respond to any emergency.

In the lead-up to the election, the police conducted a show of force and route march through the principal streets of the constituency. The exercise was aimed at reassuring residents, deterring potential disturbances, and demonstrating the Service’s readiness to maintain law and order before, during and after the vote.

Intense Campaigns Ahead of Poll

Political parties and candidates intensified their campaigns in the final days before the by-election. Campaign vans blaring music moved through inner communities, while supporters embarked on door-to-door engagements to canvass votes.

The NDC held a final rally last Sunday to energise its base and boost voter turnout, describing the contest as crucial. Party leaders acknowledged that turnout in by-elections is often low and urged supporters to come out in large numbers.

During the rally, the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, announced the expulsion of Umaru Sanda Mohammed from the NDC after he chose to contest as an independent candidate. He stated that the former member would be barred from contesting any party position for several years should he seek to return.

On the other side, senior figures of the NPP, including General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua and former General Secretary John Boadu, were spotted campaigning in parts of the constituency, including a neighbourhood popularly known as Gutter.

Historical Voting Pattern

Ayawaso East has traditionally been a stronghold of the NDC in recent elections.

In the 2024 parliamentary election, the late Alhaji Mahama secured 22,139 votes, representing 70.85 percent, while the NPP candidate polled 9,110 votes, or 29.15 percent.

In 2020, he garnered 23,583 votes, equivalent to 61.18 percent, defeating the NPP’s Peter Kwame Antwi Mireku, who obtained 14,966 votes.

Similarly, in the 2016 polls, he won with 23,407 votes, representing 62.10 percent, ahead of the NPP candidate and other minor party contenders.

As voting gets underway today, attention is firmly fixed on whether the constituency will maintain its voting trend or chart a new political direction.