The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku has urged President John Dramani Mahama not to pursue a third presidential term, saying any such attempt could jeopardise Ghana’s democratic progress and constitutional order.
Mr. Awuku said Ghana’s democracy has been strengthened over the years by respect for constitutional limits, peaceful transfers of power and the willingness of political leaders to accept the boundaries established by the country’s laws.
His comments come amid renewed public discussions about Ghana’s political future, constitutional reforms and presidential succession, with some political actors and commentators raising questions about the possibility of changes to certain provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
According to the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Organiser, President Mahama must be cautious not to allow political calculations or pressure from supporters to push him towards seeking an extended stay in office beyond the constitutionally permitted period.
“President Mahama must be careful not to fall into the third-term trap. Ghana’s democracy is bigger than any individual and must not be sacrificed for personal political ambitions,” Mr. Awuku said.
He argued that Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading democratic states has been built on the principle that no individual should become more important than the institutions and laws that govern the country.
“The beauty of our democracy lies in the fact that leaders understand that power is entrusted to them for a period, not owned by them forever,” he added.
Mr. Awuku stressed that constitutional term limits remain a critical safeguard against the abuse of political power, warning that attempts to weaken such protections could create uncertainty and threaten democratic stability.
“Any attempt, whether direct or indirect, to undermine constitutional term limits will threaten the democratic gains Ghana has made over the years,” he said.
He also noted that several countries across the world have experienced democratic setbacks when leaders attempted to extend their time in office by changing constitutional arrangements, and Ghana must learn from such experiences.
“The temptation to extend political power beyond constitutional limits has affected many democracies around the world, and Ghana must not walk that dangerous path,” he warned.
Mr. Awuku further urged political leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions rather than pursuing individual political interests, stressing that leadership should always be guided by national interest.
“The Constitution is bigger than all of us. Political leaders come and go, but the institutions we protect today will define the future of generations,” he stated.
Mr. Awuku maintained that Ghana’s democratic achievements must not be taken for granted and called on citizens, political parties and state institutions to remain committed to protecting the country’s constitutional framework.
“History will judge leaders not only by the projects they deliver but also by how they respected the institutions and rules that govern the country,” he said.
He added that the greatest responsibility of any political leader is to ensure that future generations inherit stronger democratic institutions.
“The greatest contribution any leader can make is knowing when to hand over power and allow democracy to continue its natural course,” Mr. Awuku concluded.
