The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed a writ with the Supreme Court of Ghana, seeking clarification on presidential term limits as stipulated in Articles 58(2) and 66 of the 1992 Constitution. The suit, dated July 29, 2026, aims to resolve whether the constitutional limit of two presidential terms applies to consecutive or non-consecutive terms. This legal action comes amid speculation about a potential third term for President John Dramani Mahama. The NPP is represented by Godfred Yeboah Dame of Dame & Partners.
The NPP is seeking a declaration that under the Constitution, "a person shall not be elected more than two times to hold office as President." The party also wants the court to clarify that a person elected President "shall not hold office for more than two terms with each term consisting of four years, whether the two terms are consecutive or non-consecutive." This move is part of the NPP's commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the development of constitutional jurisprudence.
The suit also seeks clarification on the eligibility of individuals who have previously held the presidency, particularly those who have served as Vice-President and assumed the presidency for more than half of a predecessor's unexpired term. The NPP wants the court to declare that such a Vice-President "is only eligible to contest to be elected as President for one term." This could impact the eligibility of certain individuals in future elections.
Furthermore, the NPP is seeking clarification on the eligibility of a person who has already served one presidential term. The party wants the court to declare that such a person "shall be eligible to serve as President for only one more term," regardless of whether the terms are consecutive. This could have significant implications for future presidential elections in Ghana.
The legal action comes against the backdrop of previous debate over whether President Mahama could seek a third term. In December 2025, National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey rejected suggestions that Mahama intended to remain in office beyond the constitutional limit. The NDC emphasized its commitment to constitutional rule and rejected allegations that it planned to pursue constitutional changes for an individual's benefit.
The NPP's action is a significant development in Ghana's democratic landscape, highlighting the importance of clarity on constitutional provisions. The Supreme Court's interpretation will have far-reaching implications for the country's presidential election processes. The Attorney-General has been named as the defendant and is expected to file a statement of the defendant's case within 14 days.
The case has sparked interest among stakeholders, with many watching to see how the Supreme Court will interpret the constitutional provisions. The court's decision is expected to provide much-needed clarity on presidential term limits, ensuring that Ghana's democratic processes remain transparent and fair. The NPP's commitment to upholding the Constitution has been emphasized through this legal action.
Key points
- The New Patriotic Party has filed a suit with the Supreme Court to clarify presidential term limits under Ghana's 1992 Constitution.
- The suit seeks to resolve whether the constitutional limit of two presidential terms applies to consecutive or non-consecutive terms.
- The case has significant implications for future presidential elections in Ghana and the eligibility of certain individuals.
