Ayawaso East Race Heats Up as Hajia Amina Adam and Baba Jamal Declare for NDC Primary

Widow of late Ayawaso East MP, Hajia Amina Adam, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, have declared intentions to contest the NDC primary ahead of the March 2026 by-election.

Declare for NDC Primary

The race to succeed the late Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East has officially begun, as two prominent figures—Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the deceased MP, and Baba Jamal, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria—have declared their intentions to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary.

The NDC is scheduled to hold its primary on February 7, 2026, to select a candidate for the Ayawaso East Constituency by-election, which will take place on March 3, 2026. The by-election follows the death of the sitting MP, whose passing created a vacancy in Parliament and prompted the Electoral Commission to announce a fresh poll.

In a press statement issued on January 22, 2026, Hajia Amina Adam formally announced her decision to enter the race. She said her move came after extensive consultations with community leaders, party executives, grassroots members, and residents of the constituency.

According to her, the weeks following the death of her husband on January 4, 2026, were marked by deep personal loss for herself and her children. However, amid the grief, she received numerous appeals from different segments of the Ayawaso East community urging her to step forward and continue the work her late husband had begun.

“I have received calls and messages from elders, party members, youth groups, and residents of the constituency, encouraging me to rise and carry forward the vision and service of my late husband,” she stated.

Hajia Amina Adam said she took time to reflect on these appeals and sought guidance from traditional rulers, imams, and other respected community figures before making her decision.

“After listening to the counsel of chiefs, religious leaders, and young people within the constituency, I have accepted this call to serve,” she said.

She explained that her motivation is rooted in a desire to sustain her late husband’s legacy, especially in areas that directly affect the lives of ordinary people.

“My intention is to continue the public service path my husband pursued, with particular focus on children, vulnerable persons, and young people in search of opportunity and employment,” she added.

She appealed to party members and residents of Ayawaso East to support her as the NDC prepares for its internal contest, emphasizing unity and collective purpose ahead of the by-election.

Alongside Hajia Amina Adam, Baba Jamal—currently serving as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria—has also declared his intention to contest the primary. A seasoned politician and former national party officer, Baba Jamal brings significant political experience and national visibility into the contest.

His entry is expected to intensify the race, transforming the NDC primary into a closely watched contest not only within the constituency but across the national political landscape.

Ayawaso East is regarded as a strategic and symbolic constituency, and the NDC is keen to retain the seat following the loss of its sitting MP. The party has urged all aspirants to conduct their campaigns in a spirit of unity, discipline, and respect for internal democracy.

Political observers say the contest reflects two distinct narratives: one rooted in continuity and emotional connection through the widow of the late MP, and another built on political experience and national stature through Baba Jamal.

For Hajia Amina Adam, the campaign represents both a personal journey and a public mission. Her story resonates with many in the constituency who admired her husband’s service and now see her as a bridge between his legacy and the future.

For Baba Jamal, the race offers an opportunity to return to frontline domestic politics with the backing of experience in governance, diplomacy, and party organization.

As the February 7 primary approaches, party members in Ayawaso East will weigh these choices carefully. Beyond personalities, the decision will shape the NDC’s strategy for the March by-election and determine who carries the party’s banner in what is expected to be a fiercely contested race.

With declarations now public, attention turns to campaign messaging, grassroots mobilization, and how each aspirant connects with the needs of residents in one of Greater Accra’s most politically active constituencies.