Mahama has only one more term to be president – here is why

Former President and flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, is currently lacing his boots for the 2024 elections to claim power from the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP).

As the two major political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the polls, one issue has been highlighted. The timeframe John Mahama has to govern Ghana should he emerge victorious in the next elections.

His main contender, NPP flagbearer, Vice President Dr Mahamudud Bawumia has noted that Mr Mahama should not be given the nod as he would lack the needed time to transform the country as pledged.

This statement got The Independent Ghana (TIG) to look into Ghana’s constitution and what it says about the number of terms a president can serve.

Per the constitution, a president has at most two terms to serve the country. A term comprises four years. 

Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution indicates the following:

(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.

(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.

(3) The office of President shall become vacant—

(a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or

(b) if the incumbent dies or resigns from office or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution.

(4) The President may, by writing signed by him, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, resign from his office as President.(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.

(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.

The late President Atta-Mills, who won the 2008 elections passed away in July 2012, and as such, his then Vice President, Mahama, became President due to the vacancy left.

He completed Mills’ tenure and in 2013, managed to win the elections to be elected President. He lost the seat to now President Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections. As such, he governed Ghana for one term, and per the constitution, he is entitled to another as he laces his boots for the 2024 elections.

Should Mahama win the 2024 elections, he would not be able to contest the 2028 elections.