President Mahama addresses Supreme Court suits on presidential term limits
via GhanaWeb2 min read
President John Dramani Mahama has responded to multiple lawsuits filed at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of constitutional provisions regarding presidential term limits. Speaking at Ho Technical University on Friday, July 17, 2026, President Mahama stated that Ghanaians granted him a mandate for one additional term, and his focus is on fulfilling his promises. He acknowledged that while some individuals have approached the Supreme Court for clarity on the relevant constitutional clause, he believes the provision is already clear. President Mahama emphasized his commitment to delivering on the trust placed in him by the Ghanaian people. His comments follow two separate suits filed by Ganiwu Alhassan and Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie, seeking clarification on Article 662 of the 1992 Constitution, which limits a person to two terms as President of Ghana. The suits aim to determine if the two-term limit applies only to consecutive terms or if it permanently bars someone who has already served two terms from seeking the presidency again.
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President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to his appointees, stating that those found to have abused public trust or engaged in corrupt practices will face consequences. He emphasized that the fight against corruption under his administration would not be limited to individuals outside of government, but would also target current officials. President Mahama urged ministers and government officials to adhere to due process and avoid shortcuts in their work. He advised them to seek collective decisions through Cabinet when uncertain about matters, promoting transparency and shared responsibility. The President explained that collective Cabinet decisions would protect officials from accusations of acting alone for personal reasons. He reiterated his government's commitment to accountability as a means to reduce corruption and prevent the misuse of state resources.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on President John Dramani Mahama to end Ghana's cycle of political retaliation, stating it would define the President's legacy. Speaking on Joy FM, Afenyo-Markin emphasized that both the New Patriotic Party NPP and the National Democratic Congress NDC have contributed to political "witch-hunts" and that the practice must cease. He recounted intervening in 2017 to secure the release of a former Mahama administration appointee who had been detained, despite being a member of the then-governing NPP. Afenyo-Markin acknowledged that some excesses occurred under the Akufo-Addo administration but argued the NDC should not repeat these mistakes. He expressed confidence that ending politically motivated actions would strengthen calls against political persecution in future administrations, especially if former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia becomes President. While advocating for an end to political retribution, Afenyo-Markin maintained that individuals found to have engaged in wrongdoing should still be investigated and prosecuted fairly and humanely.
Must ReadFormer Chief Justice William Atuguba paid tribute to the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, at the Justice DF Annan Memorial Lecture on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Justice Atuguba described them as principled and people-centered leaders, expressing his sorrow over their deaths while serving Ghana. He noted that although he had not met them personally, he followed their public service on social media and was impressed by their integrity and commitment to ordinary Ghanaians. His observations led him to believe they were principled, incorruptible, and pro-people politicians. The former Chief Justice's remarks were part of broader tributes at the lecture, honoring the lives and contributions of the two ministers, whose passing was described as a significant loss to the nation.