Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama has firmly dismissed speculation that he intends to seek a third presidential term, declaring that he will respect Ghana’s constitutional two-term limit and will not contest the 2028 presidential election.
The President addressed the long-running debate during his “Resetting Ghana Tour” in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, 2026, where he responded to public discussions surrounding his eligibility and an ongoing legal challenge before the Supreme Court.
Mahama: “The People Gave Me a Mandate for One Term”
President Mahama explained that his return to the presidency represents a single additional mandate from the Ghanaian electorate.
Having previously served as President from 2012 to 2017, he stated that his current administration is focused solely on delivering the commitments made to citizens during the campaign period.
“The people of Ghana gave me a mandate for one term, and I am working hard to meet the promises I made them,” Mahama said.
He emphasized that his priority is completing his current responsibilities rather than pursuing future political ambitions.
“Let’s Number Our Days” — A Focus on Results
The President revealed that he regularly reminds members of his government to remain conscious of the limited time available to deliver on their agenda.
According to Mahama, his instruction to ministers to “number our days” is intended to encourage urgency, accountability, and effective governance before the end of his tenure in January 2029.
He said the approach is designed to prevent complacency and ensure that government officials maximize every opportunity to implement policies and projects.
Non-Candidacy Allows Fiscal Discipline
President Mahama also highlighted that not being a candidate in the 2028 elections gives his administration greater flexibility to enforce financial discipline.
He argued that governments often face pressure to increase spending during election periods and noted that his position allows him to prioritize responsible economic management over political considerations.
The President said this commitment would help avoid the historical pattern of excessive election-year expenditure.
Supreme Court Case Fuels Constitutional Debate
The discussion over Mahama’s eligibility intensified after a Ghanaian citizen, Ganiwu Alhassan, filed a case at the Supreme Court of Ghana seeking an interpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
The legal action seeks clarity on whether a person who has served two presidential terms that were not consecutive can legally return to contest again.
Responding to the controversy, President Mahama said he personally believes the constitutional provision is clear but acknowledged that the matter is now before the country’s highest court.
“I note that people have gone to the Supreme Court seeking interpretation of the clause. 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…” he stated.
NDC Backs Mahama’s Position
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also rejected claims that it intends to amend or bypass constitutional provisions to allow a third-term bid for the President.
NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has reiterated that the party has no plans to pursue any action outside Ghana’s constitutional framework.
The party has maintained that Mahama’s current mandate remains his final term in office.
Speculation Put to Rest
For months, political discussions and opposition claims had suggested that the Mahama administration could be considering an extension beyond the constitutional limit.
However, the President’s latest remarks during his nationwide tour have provided his clearest statement yet that he does not intend to contest the 2028 elections.
With the issue now also before the Supreme Court, attention remains focused on the court’s eventual interpretation of the constitutional provision and its implications for Ghana’s future political landscape.
Source: Omanghana
