Former Senior Presidential Aide, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has rejected suggestions that President John Dramani Mahama can constitutionally seek a third presidential term, insisting that the 1992 Constitution is unambiguous on presidential term limits.
Speaking on Gold Morning Conversation with Sena Numbo, he said Article 66 of the Constitution clearly limits every President to two four-year terms, regardless of whether those terms are served consecutively.
According to Dr. Aidoo, there is no legal basis for the ongoing attempts to seek a judicial interpretation of the provision.
“The language of that article is what we call crystal clear. There is no need for judicial interpretation when the words of a statute are so clear in their ordinary meaning,” he stated.
He criticised Ken Kuranchie, who is seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the constitutional provision, arguing that the case lacks merit because the Constitution expressly states that a President is entitled to only two terms in office.
“If there is evidence that you have served four years and another four years, you have exhausted your right to fight for another term. Two terms of four-year presidency—that is all it says. Simple language,” he said.
Dr. Aidoo also dismissed arguments that President Mahama could contest again because his two terms were interrupted by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s eight years in office.
He maintained that the Constitution neither requires presidential terms to be consecutive nor creates any exception for interrupted terms.
“That is not what the Constitution means or intended,” he stressed.
To reinforce his argument, Dr. Aidoo drew a comparison with the United States, noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office after a break, would likewise be constitutionally barred from seeking another term after completing his second presidency.
He said any attempt to permit a third term would require an amendment to the Constitution itself.
“The Constitution’s statement is so clear that even a blind man can see,” he remarked.
Touching on the ongoing constitutional review process, Dr. Aidoo expressed support for extending Ghana’s presidential tenure from four years to five years, while retaining the two-term limit.
He disclosed that a five-year presidential term had originally been considered during the drafting of the 1992 Constitution but was abandoned to avoid perceptions that it was designed to prolong the tenure of then-military leader Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
According to him, two five-year terms would provide governments with adequate time to transition into office, implement policies and deliver meaningful national development.
However, he stressed that extending the tenure should not be interpreted as creating an opportunity for any President to serve beyond two terms.
Dr. Aidoo further observed that President Mahama still has significant manifesto commitments to fulfil, including the establishment of a Women’s Bank, the rollout of the 24-hour economy, the fight against illegal mining and measures to tackle youth unemployment.
He argued that these priorities underscore the need for governments to have sufficient time to implement development programmes while remaining subject to constitutional term limits.
