Rumours of the sitting President John Dramani Mahama going for re-election is currently doing the rounds among sections of the party’s support base. Even though President Mahama has publicly decried such an ambition, supporters and proponents believe it is worth considering by the President.
The NDC chief scribe, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has opposed the idea and also rejected the calls to that effect saying the party is committed to the two-term tenure provided by the 1992 Constitution in respect for the entrenched clauses affirming that Mahama’s presidency ends in 2028.
But the speculation is widespread by the day as supporters are citing real leadership and governance.
Advocates have argued that some supporters, public figures and citizens have championed the idea of a third term, arguing that a strong leader should be allowed to continue driving national development, which can be possible per a third term bid. They further say that majority of Ghanaians yearn for John Dramani Mahama to have another term.
Though a constitutional amendment is theoretically possible under Article 290, it would require a rigorous legal process, including a nationwide referendum requiring at least 75% approval. The campaigners of the concept have, therefore, recommended that the legalities surrounding the idea be tested.
The resolve of the third-term campaigners is based on the report of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), which proposed an extension of the Presidential and Parliamentary terms from four years to five years.
The CRC chaired by Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh argued that the current four-year term is too short, with incoming governments effectively spending their early months setting up and final years campaigning, leaving a narrow window for sustained governance and policy implementation.
Mainly, the supporters are focusing their campaign for Mahama’s third-term bid on the administration’s “Ghana Reset Agenda” and mentioned the abolishing of the E-Levy, Betting Tax, and Emission Levy as some early achievements.
They also referred to free first-year academic fees for tertiary students, free education for persons with disabilities, and the introduction and rolling out of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) health initiative duly established by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act; Act 1144 (2025). The latter seeks to cover the cost of care and medication for non-communicable diseases not captured in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The Mahama administration has ensured fiscal improvements having stabilised the cedi with the dollar rate dropping from GHc17 to GHc10.35 and lower fuel prices while inflation has drastically reduced.
On assumption of office, President Mahama has fulfilled the campaign promise to reduce the machinery of government, cutting ministries from 30 down to 23 and implementing a strict Code of Conduct for appointees to optimise government.
In the area of Education and Social Welfare, free first-year academic fees for all students entering tertiary institutions was implemented, Trainee Allowances Restored and allowances for nursing and teacher trainees paid.
The administration has also rolled out nationwide distribution of free sanitary pads for school girls among other initiatives. As a result, some concerned individuals are bracing themselves up to go to court to test the legalities in order to champion the third term bid.
