Nothing wrong if Supreme Court interprets the Constitution to allow Mahama to run for a third term

President John Dramani Mahama [L] and Ex NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has weighed in on the ongoing national debate over former President John Dramani Mahama’s eligibility to contest the 2028 general elections, stating that while the courts may interpret the law, the ultimate decision lies with the Ghanaian electorate.

Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa FM Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Blay acknowledged the authority of the Supreme Court in constitutional interpretation, especially regarding the controversial two-term limit for presidents. However, he maintained that if the apex court interprets the constitution to permit Mahama to run again, he personally has no objection.

“The law is in the bosom of the judges,” Blay remarked, adding, “If it goes to the Supreme Court—which has the exclusive judicial right to interpret the Constitution—and that body decides that what it means by two terms is conservatively this or that, I don’t have a problem with it.”

He emphasized the difference between legal interpretation and democratic choice. “The law court does not vote for a president,” he stated. “The individuals who constitute a panel and may look at a case have only one vote each. It is the people of this country who will vote.”

Blay further said that if Mahama’s party—the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—chooses to field him as their candidate, it would be within their right, and it is up to the electorate to make the final decision.

His comments come amid ongoing legal and political discussions about Mahama’s eligibility after having served one full term from 2013 to 2017 and completing the remainder of the late President John Atta Mills’ term from 2012.

NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, recently claimed that President John Dramani Mahama is planning to run for a third term in office, citing his appointment of new Supreme Court Justices and an alleged ploy to dismiss Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo as evidence.

“He knows it will be difficult to get a referendum. So, what I can do is pack the court with judges who will favor me, then sponsor a judicial interpretation of Article 62, which states that everybody has two terms.

“Therefore, he seeks an interpretation to mean that the two terms can be continuous and consecutive. He wants to rely on such an interpretation to go for a third term,” he said in an interview on Peace FM.

KA

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