Ken Kuranchie, a Private legal practitioner who is at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of Ghana’s presidential term limit, has said they are not seeking a third term for President John Mahama.
According to Ken Kuranchie, the case is about seeking clarity on the interpretation of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and the issue of consecutive presidential terms.
He argued that a person elected as President can serve two terms, and that eligibility should be considered afresh should that person leave office after serving only one term.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Ken Kuranchie stated, “We are in the Supreme Court asking for what we believe is one of the most important political issues in our democracy.
“Whether the presidency is consecutive or not, if it is consecutive, then what it says clearly is that the person related to the office of president shall serve two terms, or shall serve for two terms”.
“The 1992 Constitution is a document that is too generous. It is a big document, and it is to be read as a whole,” he said.
“That is why we are not depending on, unlike the other petitioner, we are not depending on Article 662 alone. We have worked in other provisions of the other articles and parts of the 1982 Constitution, like Article 264, 26462, and all that.
“If you read the Constitution as a whole, then you may come to a certain conclusion.”
He further argued, “I’ve heard arguments about a third term. We are not seeking a third term for President Mahama. That is not about what we are doing”.
“What we are doing is that we are saying that the presidency is consecutive. If you recall, around 2023, I took a similar route to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, that matter is still hanging in the Supreme Court. It has not been resolved,” he said.
According to Ken Kuranchie, the issue before the Supreme Court is whether the eligibility of a person who leaves office after one term is reset.
He added, “That’s saying that once he’s elected out of office, if he serves only one term, then the eligibility criteria is reset. So the person elected shall serve not more than two terms. Quite explicit”.
“I was asked this question, and I don’t have a problem. You see, it’s not about a third term. It’s about whether he is eligible to stand for another term,” he said.
“That may be the effect, but that is not what we are seeking. In fact, if you read my writ, it doesn’t mention Mr Mahama.
“We are saying that if you read the entire 1992 Constitution, bring in the relevant process, and then the opportunity lies there that he can serve consecutively.”
Meanwhile, 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.
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”.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has bluntly rejected calls for a third presidential term, insisting that his position is clear and will not change.
According to John Mahama, the Supreme Court case on Presidential term limits is not his business.
Mahama disclosed that he believes the constitutional provision governing presidential tenure is clear, following a legal action seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the two-term limit for presidents.
Speaking during the Reset Tour and citizens’ engagement in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, President Mahama stated, “Let me be very clear. The Constitution is not ambiguous. It is exactly what it says”.
“I have read Article 66 over and over. A president is limited to two terms. Full stop. Those who have gone to the Supreme Court are free to do so. That is their right. But my position is clear, and it will not change.”
He added, “I know that people have gone to the Supreme Court seeking interpretation of the clause that governs the tenure of the president. If you ask my personal opinion, I thought that it was clear enough. I’ve read it over several times; it’s exactly what it says, but if they want to ask the Supreme Court, that is their business”.
“The people of Ghana gave me a mandate for one term. And I am working hard to meet the promises I made them,” he said.
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