Inusah Fuseini urges President John Mahama to reject any third-term bid

Former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini, has called on President John Mahama to respect the 1992 Constitution's term limits and reject any potential pressure to seek a third term in office. Speaking on Channel One TV, Fuseini emphasised that even if the Supreme Court provides an interpretation that might technically permit an additional term, the President should prioritise democratic stability by adhering to the established two-term limit. He warned that the pursuit of power beyond the traditional cap often undermines public trust in democratic institutions.

This advice follows a legal action initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is seeking judicial confirmation from the Supreme Court regarding the interpretation of presidential tenure. The NPP's suit focuses on Articles 66(1) and 66(2) of the Constitution, which define the four-year term and the two-term maximum for any individual holding the high office. Fuseini described the NPP's move as "needless" and "speculative," arguing that the constitutional language is already clear and that no actual attempt to violate the limit has occurred to justify such a judicial review.

Fuseini maintained that the 1992 Constitution makes no distinction between consecutive and non-consecutive terms, asserting that an individual is restricted to two terms in their lifetime. He argued that the primary focus of the law is on the frequency of elections and the total number of mandates given to a person, rather than the duration of time spent out of office between terms. By pursuing a court ruling at this stage, he suggested the NPP is wasting public resources and judicial time on a hypothetical issue that has not yet materialised into a legal dispute.

The former lawmaker further warned that manipulating constitutional arrangements to extend political power has historically led to instability across the African continent. He expressed concern that such legal manoeuvres could threaten judicial independence and create a dangerous precedent for the concentration of power. Fuseini concluded that the integrity of Ghana's democratic process depends on leaders' willingness to step down after their constitutional limit, ensuring the continued health of the country's political landscape and the preservation of peaceful transitions.