Lawyer files writ at Supreme Court seeking interpretation of Ghana’s presidential term-limit

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President John Mahama

Ken Kuranchie, a Ghanaian news editor and lawyer, has filed a writ at the Supreme Court seeking interpretation of Ghana’s presidential term-limit.  

Reports suggest the suit was filed on June 30, 2026, and was brought by Ken Kuranchie and Bridget Brita Buabeng of Besamho Legal Consult, Kasoa, representing him, with the Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, named as the sole defendant.

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The case refers to Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which limits a person to two terms as President of Ghana.

The suit is seeking an interpretation of Article 66(2) of the Constitution, arguing that the two-term presidential limit applies only after two consecutive elected four-year terms and that a break resets the eligibility count.

Ken Kuranchie is seeking three declarations from the court.

The first being that the two-term presidential limit in Article 66(2) only takes effect upon the completion of two consecutive terms of four years each.

“A declaration that, on a true and proper interpretation of Articles 66(2), 246(2), 1(1), 35(1), and 42 of the 1992 Constitution, the two-term presidential limit in Article 66(2) is properly construed as imposing a prohibition on election to the office of President of Ghana only upon the completion of two consecutive terms of four years each,” the writ stated.

The second a substantial break of one four-year electoral cycle resets the eligibility count.

“A declaration that, on a true and proper interpretation of Articles 66(2), 246(2), 1(1), 35(1), and 42 of the 1992 Constitution, a substantial break of one four-year electoral cycle of elected presidential service resets the eligibility count,” the writ added.

The third, that the prohibition in Article 66(2) is not engaged until a person has been elected to and has served two consecutive elected terms of four years each.

The writ added, “A declaration that, on a true and proper interpretation of Articles 66(2), 246(2), 1(1), 35(1), and 42 of the 1992 Constitution, the prohibition in Article 66(2) is not engaged until a person has been elected to and has served two consecutive elected terms of four years each”.

If the court upheld the interpretation in favour of the plaintiffs, it could open the door for President Mahama to contest a further term in office.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has already made a bold declaration that he will not be a candidate in Ghana’s next elections.

According to John Mahama, stepping aside in 2028 would give him the moral authority to hold the line when it comes to Ghana’s fiscal discipline in an election year.

Mahama, during a bilateral discussion with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, criticised the practice of incumbent governments bypassing fiscal safeguards to curry favour with voters, a cycle he will end.

“I will not be a candidate in the next elections, and therefore I can hold the line when it comes to fiscal discipline,” he said.

In addition, some weeks ago, a viral video surfaced of President John Dramani Mahama responding to a citizen urging him to contest again for the presidency after completing his tenure.

According to the Ghanaian citizen, Mahama must contest against him; otherwise, he will take him to court.

Speaking in the midst of a large crowd which had gathered at the location, an elderly man who spotted President Mahama in a moving car was heard loudly shouting, “Mr President, go again! Go and contest again, because if you don’t, I will take you to court!”

In response, President Mahama, seated in his car, smiled broadly, stated, “I have heard you,” while he waved at the public.

See the post below:

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