“No Room for a Third Term” – Dzamefe on Presidential Limits

Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe has firmly expressed his commitment to the constitutional two-term limit for Ghanaian presidents, stating that the law is unambiguous and must be upheld.

During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Dzamefe was asked by Suame MP John Darko about his interpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which restricts a person from serving more than two presidential terms.

“Do you believe this provision allows for interpretation?” the MP queried.

Justice Dzamefe responded confidently: “Mr. Chairman, the honourable member cited the Constitution, and that’s exactly what it says. I cannot go against what is clearly stated in the Constitution.”

His remarks arrive at a politically sensitive time, amid heightened tensions following accusations by Minority Leader and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has alleged that President John Dramani Mahama and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are pursuing a covert third-term agenda.

Speaking on May 1, 2025, Afenyo-Markin linked this alleged agenda to President Mahama’s recent nomination of seven new Justices to the Supreme Court. According to him, these appointments represent a strategic move to clear the way for a constitutional amendment.

“This is the first major step in a rehearsed plan by the NDC’s leadership to pave the way for a third term,” he claimed.

President Mahama nominated the judges on April 30, 2025, under Article 144(2) of the Constitution, aiming to strengthen the Supreme Court with experienced judicial minds amid ongoing constitutional challenges.

About Article 66(2) of the Constitution:
It states unequivocally that a person is ineligible to serve more than two terms as President of Ghana.