NPP has no trust in Mahama’s pledge not to seek third term – Richard Gyamfi

The NPP communications team member says the party will not rely solely on the President’s public assurances, insisting that the Supreme Court must clarify the constitutional limits on presidential tenure.

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Team, Richard Gyamfi, says the party does not trust President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge not to seek a third term in office.

Speaking on the BigIssue segment of TV3’s NewDay programme on Monday, November 2, 2026, Mr Gyamfi said the NPP would not treat the President’s public comments as a binding decision on the matter.

He argued that political developments in other African countries showed why constitutional safeguards must be clearly defined rather than relying on assurances from political leaders.

“This particular government, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and NDC II, is notable for settings and so for us, we are not going to take this flamboyant commentaries on the side as a sacrosanct decision made by the President not to run again,” he said.

NPP cites examples from other African countries

Mr Gyamfi referred to Burkina Faso, where former President Blaise Compaoré attempted to change the Constitution in 2014 to extend his stay in office after 27 years in power.

He also cited Senegal, where former President Abdoulaye Wade’s attempt to seek another term generated political controversy.

According to the NPP communicator, the party is concerned that public confidence in a sitting president could eventually be used to justify attempts to alter constitutional provisions governing presidential tenure.

He said the NPP was therefore taking no chances in seeking a definitive interpretation of the law.

Supreme Court case over presidential term limits

The comments come after the NPP filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the Attorney-General, seeking an interpretation of Articles 58(2) and 66 of the 1992 Constitution.

The party wants the court to declare that a person can be elected President only twice, regardless of whether the two terms are consecutive or separated by a period out of office.

It is also seeking clarification on the constitutional eligibility of a person who assumes the presidency as Vice-President for more than half of a predecessor’s unexpired term.

Government maintains Mahama will not seek another term

President Mahama has publicly dismissed suggestions that he intends to seek a third term.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has also rejected the allegations, describing the debate as political propaganda by the NPP. He has maintained that the President’s position on the matter has been consistent.

The Supreme Court’s eventual interpretation is expected to clarify the constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits and eligibility in Ghana.