Keypoints:
- NDC dismisses speculation about changing presidential term limits
- Party cites risks seen in other West African states
- Commitment to the 1992 Constitution reaffirmed
GHANA’S ruling party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has categorically ruled out any attempt to amend the country’s presidential term limits, seeking to shut down speculation that it could pursue constitutional changes to allow President John Dramani Mahama to seek a third term in office.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC said it has no intention of sponsoring, supporting or directing any move to alter the two-term limit enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. The party described claims of a third-term agenda as unfounded and warned that such narratives risk undermining public confidence in the country’s democratic order.
The statement follows heightened debate triggered by remarks attributed to the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, which were interpreted in some quarters as suggesting openness to constitutional amendments. The NDC said those interpretations do not reflect its position and should not be misconstrued as party policy.
A sensitive regional backdrop
The NDC’s clarification comes against a sobering regional record. In recent years, efforts to alter or reset presidential term limits in parts of West Africa have repeatedly acted as flashpoints for unrest, institutional breakdown and, in some cases, military intervention. Guinea’s 2020 constitutional referendum under then president Alpha Condé, which effectively cleared the way for a third term, was followed by sustained protests and culminated in his removal by the army in 2021. In Cote d’Ivoire, President Alassane Ouattara’s contested third-term bid the same year triggered violent demonstrations and deepened political polarisation. Elsewhere in the subregion, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, prolonged governance crises linked to contested constitutional authority have preceded or intersected with coups, reinforcing the perception that term-limit manipulation carries high political risk.
For Ghana, where presidential term limits have been observed without interruption since the start of the Fourth Republic, the NDC’s categorical rejection of any constitutional change appears designed to draw a clear line between its democratic trajectory and a regional pattern that has often ended in instability.
‘No intention, now or ever’
According to the statement, the party has ‘no intention, now or in the future’ of initiating or supporting any amendment to presidential term limits. The NDC described the two-term cap as a cornerstone of Ghana’s constitutional architecture, deliberately embedded to prevent the excessive concentration of executive power.
‘Any attempt to tamper with this constitutional safeguard would be dangerous and unnecessary,’ the statement said, warning that reopening the term-limit debate could introduce avoidable political tension and weaken trust in democratic institutions.
Constitutional roots and responsibility
The party also anchored its position in history, noting that it played a central role in the drafting and adoption of the 1992 Constitution. The NDC said the inclusion of presidential term limits was a conscious choice aimed at safeguarding national stability and protecting the democratic system from incumbency excesses.
By invoking its constitutional roots, the party framed its stance not as a tactical response to political controversy, but as a reaffirmation of long-standing principles underpinning Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
President Mahama distanced from speculation
The statement further moved to distance President Mahama from any suggestion of a third-term ambition, saying he has consistently demonstrated respect for constitutional order and democratic norms. It urged the public and media to disregard claims that are not grounded in fact and warned against narratives that distract from governance priorities.
According to the NDC, the focus of the government remains on delivering on its mandate, strengthening institutions and addressing economic and social challenges facing the country.
Reassurance amid scrutiny
Political analysts say the firm tone of the statement reflects an awareness within the ruling party of the reputational risks associated with even perceived openness to term-limit changes, particularly in a region where constitutional overreach has often preceded instability.
The NDC concluded by calling for responsible public discourse, urging political leaders and commentators to exercise caution when addressing constitutional matters with far-reaching national consequences.
