By Zobia Zulfqar 
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to reject any attempt to reinterpret Ghana’s constitutional presidential term limits, warning that those promoting such a move are setting a political trap.
His comments follow a lawsuit filed at the Supreme Court by lawyer and news editor Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie, who is seeking an interpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution. The case asks the court to determine whether the two-term limit for presidents applies only to consecutive terms or to all terms served.
The suit, filed on June 30 against Attorney-General Dominic Ayine, seeks clarity on whether a former president who leaves office for one electoral cycle can contest the presidency again.
Reacting in a social media post on Friday, July 10, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker said he believes the people behind the lawsuit do not have President Mahama’s best interests at heart.
Awuku claimed the legal action could damage the President politically and warned him against supporting any effort that could be seen as seeking a third presidential term.
“I have a funny suspicion that those behind the suits are plotting the eventual downfall of President Mahama,” he wrote.
He added that the President should not allow himself to be persuaded by people who, in his view, are pursuing their own political agenda.
“Mr. President, they don’t wish you well. Don’t fall for this trap and don’t be persuaded to drink a cup of ‘poison’ prepared by detractors in your own party,” Awuku stated.
According to the MP, any attempt to pursue a third presidential term would create political challenges for President Mahama, not only within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) but also from opposition parties.
He argued that such a move could deepen divisions and shift attention away from governance and national development.
Awuku also referred to Ghana’s democratic history, noting that former President Jerry John Rawlings, who founded the NDC, did not attempt to remain in office beyond the constitutional limit.
He said respecting presidential term limits has been an important part of Ghana’s democratic progress and should continue to guide the country’s political system.
The lawsuit has attracted public attention because its interpretation could have implications for how presidential term limits are understood under the Constitution.
However, no ruling has been made, and the Supreme Court is expected to determine the legal meaning of Article 66(2) after hearing arguments from the parties involved.
The Attorney-General has been named as the respondent in the case, and legal observers are expected to follow the proceedings closely because of their constitutional significance.
The debate has also generated discussion among political analysts, legal experts and members of the public about the intent of Ghana’s presidential term limits and the need for clarity on the constitutional provision.
For now, President Mahama has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or Awuku’s remarks. The case remains before the Supreme Court as the country awaits the court’s interpretation of the constitutional provision.