Former President John Dramani Mahama’s aspiration for a second term has ignited debate, as it poses a challenge to Ghana’s constitutional limit of two terms for presidents.
Mr. Mahama, who held the presidency from 2012 to 2017, is seeking to modify the constitution to permit him to serve beyond the established two-term restriction.
Constitutional Limitations
According to Article 66 (2) of Ghana’s constitution, a president is prohibited from serving more than two terms. This provision is designed to prevent the entrenchment of power and to facilitate smooth transitions of leadership. Mahama’s previous presidency, coupled with a prospective second term, would surpass this constitutional limit.
NDC’s Strategic Approach
A leaked document, reportedly a 56-page strategic plan of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), details the party’s strategy to contest the constitutional restriction. The plan includes pursuing a judicial interpretation that would enable Mahama to serve two consecutive terms, drawing on international examples.
International Examples
The document cites instances of constitutional amendments in countries such as Uganda, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, and Russia, where leaders have managed to extend their time in office. These cases are intended to legitimize the notion of constitutional amendments for sitting leaders and to mitigate public opposition.
Judicial Strategies
To realize this objective, the NDC aims to sway public sentiment through strategic messaging and to adopt a judicial approach to contest the current understanding of Article 66(2). Additionally, the party plans to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court who align with their interpretation of the Constitution.
Potential Consequences and Concerns
Should this initiative succeed, Mahama’s attempt to amend the constitution would enable him to serve beyond the two-term limit, potentially compromising accountability to voters. This development has raised alarms among opposition parties and civil society organizations, who worry it could undermine the democratic progress achieved in Ghana.
