The suspension of the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, efficient twenty second April, has sparked intense authorized and political debate, with President John Mahama and the Council of State coming underneath sharp scrutiny in latest days.
On the forefront of the criticism is the management of the principle opposition celebration, the New Patriotic Get together (NPP), which has expressed sturdy reservations in regards to the directive.
Whereas the celebration continues to protest the choice, a number of senior figures—together with the Minority Chief, Alexander Afenyo-Markin—have alleged a grand conspiracy to control the judiciary in an effort to legitimise a possible third-term bid for President Mahama.
)
Intercourse is excellent for our well being but it surely turns into a problem when it turns into an dependancy.
)
A Celtic fan has been sacked after mocking the Ibrox catastrophe throughout a Rangers match, sparking outrage and police investigation. Video of what occurred…
)
This allegation has been echoed throughout a number of media platforms by different distinguished celebration members, together with the Common Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, and the Nationwide Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye (popularly generally known as Nana B).
ALSO READ: Supreme Court dismisses Old Tafo MP’s injunction application against CJ removal process
The NPP bolstered their claims following the President’s nomination of seven justices to the Supreme Court docket on twenty ninth April 2025.
The controversy prompted the NPP, in collaboration with 4 different political events—the Liberal Get together of Ghana (LPG), the Nationwide Democratic Get together (NDP), the Folks’s Nationwide Get together (PNP), and the Ghana Union Motion (GUM)—to stage a protest on Monday, fifth Might, dubbed #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo.
)
Response from the Majority Chief
Nonetheless, the claims have been firmly denied by the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who refuted assertions that President Mahama is pursuing a third-term agenda.
In response to him, the narrative is a fabrication by the opposition NPP and has by no means been a subject of debate inside authorities or the Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC).
)
Reactions
The allegation has since generated broad public debate, with famend political figures becoming a member of the discourse.
Notable amongst them is the Founding President and Chief Govt Officer of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, who acknowledged in a Fb put up on twenty fifth April:
President John Dramani Mahama just isn’t and won’t try to run for a 3rd time period. Ignore any wayward city criers suggesting so.
)
Equally, Mussa Okay. Dankwah, Govt Director and Head of International Analysis at International InfoAnalytics, additionally weighed in on the matter, urging the President to reject any requires a third-term bid.
In a Fb put up dated twenty eighth April, he additionally wrote:
Even when Ghanaians say sure, I might advise Mahama to refuse to go in that path. You could not at all times go together with public opinion on such issues. Resist the temptation in the event you actually consider in good governance. Construct successors so that you don’t change into Kagame, as a result of dying will at all times remind you that you’ll not be right here without end.
Constitutional Provision and Authorized Opinion
The 1992 Structure of Ghana clearly outlines in Article 66(2):
An individual shall not be elected to carry workplace as President of Ghana for greater than two phrases.
However are there any authorized loopholes that could possibly be exploited to allow a 3rd time period? Pulse Information consulted constitutional lawyer Paul Kumi for his authorized perception.
He clarified:
Article 66 is an entrenched clause within the 1992 Structure, that means it may solely be amended by way of a referendum wherein a majority of voters help the proposed change.
He additional clarified:
At no level does the judiciary play a job in such a course of. I have no idea the place these allegations are coming from. The legislation is obvious: a president is proscribed to 2 phrases. Underneath the present structure, there isn’t a authorized path for President Mahama to pursue a 3rd time period.
Perspective from a Political Analyst
)
Political analyst Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere additionally spoke to Pulse Information, expressing disappointment over what he described because the NPP’s “ridiculous” allegations.
He acknowledged:
It’s an aberration on the a part of the minority to proceed in such a fashion. I additionally consider a few of them are positioning themselves for future political alternatives ought to they win the following elections.
Dr Otchere dismissed the claims, urging the NPP to focus its efforts on extra constructive political engagement.
ALSO READ: NPP minority accuses Mahama of ‘judicial coup’ over CJ Torkonoo’s suspension
Conclusion
)
With tensions excessive and political rhetoric intensifying, the controversy over President Mahama’s alleged third-term ambitions continues to divide public opinion.
Nonetheless, constitutional provisions and knowledgeable analyses seem to affirm that such a transfer stays legally not possible underneath Ghana’s present framework.
