Can former President John Dramani Mahama contest another presidential election after serving two non-consecutive terms? That constitutional question is now before Ghana’s Supreme Court after a Ghanaian teacher filed a suit seeking a declaration that a person who has served two separate, non-consecutive terms as President remains eligible to contest again. The case was filed in Accra on July 9, 2026, against the Attorney-General and could shape how Ghana’s presidential term limit is interpreted.
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What the Supreme Court suit argues
The suit was filed by Ganiwu Alhassan, a teacher from Kpandai in the Northern Region, through his solicitor, Kwasi Afrifa Esq of O & A Legal Consult in Kumasi. It asks the Supreme Court to interpret Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that a person shall not be elected to hold the office of President for more than two terms.
According to the plaintiff, the constitutional provision should be interpreted to prohibit only more than two consecutive terms, rather than imposing a lifetime ban on anyone who has served two separate and distinct, non-consecutive terms.
Alhassan is asking the court to declare that preventing such a person from contesting the presidency again would be inconsistent with the Constitution. Although the writ does not name Mahama as the subject of the legal relief sought, the case has attracted attention because he is Ghana’s only President to have served two non-consecutive terms after returning to office following former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
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Why the case matters
Filed under the Constitution’s enforcement provisions, the 34-page statement of case draws on the Preamble and several constitutional articles, including those governing presidential succession when a Vice President completes an unexpired term.
The plaintiff’s lawyers argue that because the Constitution does not automatically treat a partial or interrupted term as a bar to serving two full terms, the two-term limit should not be interpreted as an absolute lifetime cap for someone whose service was also non-continuous.
The filing cites several landmark constitutional cases, including Tuffuor v Attorney-General, New Patriotic Party v Attorney-General, Sam v Attorney-General and Nartey v Attorney-General, as well as Black’s Law Dictionary, in support of what it describes as a broad interpretation of the Constitution’s letter and spirit.
Although Mahama has previously dismissed suggestions of seeking another term, the Supreme Court’s eventual interpretation could influence how presidential eligibility is understood in future elections, regardless of any individual candidate.
What happens next
The writ directs the Attorney-General to file a statement of defence within 14 days after service.
The matter is now before the Supreme Court of Ghana for determination. At the time the suit was filed, no writ number had been assigned.
Mahama, who is serving a second presidential term separated by Nana Akufo-Addo’s eight-year tenure, has repeatedly said he has no intention of amending the Constitution to pursue another term. During a visit to Singapore in August 2025, he again stated that he had no plans to seek a third term.
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