Baffour Asare Yamoah is the former MP aspirant of Bosome Freho
It is deeply troubling and frankly unacceptable that Mr Freddie Blay, a former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), would suggest that there is “nothing wrong” if the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution to allow former President John Mahama to contest a third term.
Let it be made clear: Ghana’s 1992 Constitution unambiguously limits a person to two terms as President. Any attempt to twist this through judicial activism or political manipulation should be resisted by every well-meaning Ghanaian.
Freddie Blay’s recent utterances must not be taken seriously. At his age, and given the possibility of cognitive decline, the public should treat such remarks with caution and not allow them to pollute the legal and moral clarity surrounding our term-limit provisions.
The idea of promoting the return of a former president through interviews with elderly or ailing former party figures is both irresponsible and dangerous. Any journalist who seeks to exploit such situations to score cheap political points must be prepared to answer for the consequences of such mischief.
Let us also not forget Freddie Blay’s political history. He was never originally NPP. He rose through the ranks of the CPP, entered Parliament on their ticket, and only conveniently jumped ship to the NPP when it served his personal ambitions.
His record is one of opportunism, not loyalty or principle. It wouldn’t be surprising if tomorrow he announces he has joined the ruling NDC, should that align with his interests.
The NPP must remain vigilant and guard its principles against infiltration by individuals who rise to leadership not out of conviction, but out of opportunism.
We must be especially wary of those who emerge from other political traditions and suddenly take central roles in our party’s affairs often bringing along ideologies and ambitions that serve only themselves.
This is not the time to entertain constitutional adventurism or political revisionism. Ghana’s democracy has come too far to risk being undermined by those who have outlived their relevance but still seek to stir controversy for attention.
The constitution must stand firm. Mahama’s time is up.
