“I Won’t Step Down to Be an MP; That’s Not a Trade I’d Ever Make” — Gary Al-Smith Fires Back After Baba Jamal’s Removal as Ghana–Nigeria Envoy

Renowned sports journalist and respected public commentator Gary Al-Smith has stirred fresh debate within Ghana’s political space following the removal of Baba Jamal as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, questioning the logic behind abandoning a top-tier diplomatic post to pursue a parliamentary seat.

In a Facebook post dated February 8, 2026, Al-Smith made it clear that such a move would never appeal to him personally. 

“I won’t step down to be an MP,” he wrote, stressing that the position of High Commissioner—especially to a strategically important country like Nigeria—offers far greater long-term value than a seat in Parliament.

According to Al-Smith, a diplomatic appointment in Nigeria is not merely ceremonial but a powerful platform capable of transforming an individual’s life if managed with vision and strategy. 

He described Nigeria as one of Ghana’s most critical regional partners, noting that the exposure, influence, and opportunities attached to such a posting far exceed what most parliamentary roles can offer.

He further highlighted the immense networking advantages that come with serving as High Commissioner in Africa’s largest economy. 

From high-level political connections to access to influential business leaders and international partners, Al-Smith argued that the role provides pathways that can secure lasting personal, professional, and even generational benefits.

“To sit at that table and then trade it for Parliament?” he implied, questioning the cost-benefit analysis behind such a decision. Still, he was careful to acknowledge that ambitions differ. 

“But what do I know? Each to his own,” he added, suggesting that individual political goals and personal motivations ultimately shape such choices.

Al-Smith’s comments follow the removal of Baba Jamal from his post by the President, a decision linked to allegations of vote buying during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) internal primaries for the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat ahead of the upcoming by-elections. The development has ignited widespread discussion across social and traditional media.