'Abandon The Misguided And Unrealistic Third Term Bid For President Mahama.'; An Open Letter To Kojo Adu Asare

Dear Kojo Adu Asare!

I write to convey this message to you in response to the unsound and ill-advised commentary you made on Asempa 94.7 FM regarding the tenure of President Mahama.

This commentary has been on the lips of some groups of people in an attempt to push for the extension of the Presidential term limit for President Mahama.

It's critical to note that President Mahama is in his final term of office, having been elected President in 2012 and completing his first four-year term in 2016.

As a reminder, President Mahama was unsuccessful in continuing his second term as President of the Republic of Ghana when he was defeated in the December 2016 election.

In his bid to lead the Country again, Mr Mahama was presented again by the NDC in the 2020 general elections, but he was defeated, cutting short his dreams of getting the nod to lead the Country.

Importantly, Mr Mahama came back again in the 2024 general elections and suddenly defeated Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to secure his second term in office as President.

Following the chronology of events, President Mahama began his second term of office on January 7, 2025, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana.

Fast forward, the 1992 Constitution has made it vividly clear on the Presidential term limit in Article 66 of the Constitution which states:

(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.

(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.

Mr. Kojo Adu Asare, I know you are not a novice in Ghana's political dispensation and it's absurd that such a fruitless adventure is being championed by you in the extension of President Mahama's tenure of office.

On this crucial note, the above-mentioned Article in Ghana's Constitution is vivid and not ambiguous for you to have such a lame thought all in an attempt to catch the eye or attention of President Mahama.

Evidently stated, Article 66(1) is very clear and it should be a guiding principle for you to appreciate the framers of the Constitution, which states that "A person should not be elected to hold office for more than two terms."

Mr. Kojo Adu Asare, is it that you don't understand this entrenched provision in the Constitution or are you pushing your own selfish parochial interest?

Realistically, it makes no sense with great respect for a political figure like you to have this unsmart and unsound assertion even when we have been practicing a democracy for the past years as a Country.

Ghana has been touted as the beacon of hope for the manner in which we have carried ourselves when it comes to the smooth transition of power from one President to another.

Indeed, we can't subject the Country to doom and chaos simply because of someone's political ambition and personal interest by engaging in an unconstitutional act of extending the Presidential term limit of President Mahama.

What benefit doesn't it hold for the Country, or what has been the performance of President Mahama to warrant an extension of his two-term tenure in office? It makes no sense to me as a young politician.

Put simply, Mr. Kojo Adu Asare, what has President Mahama done differently than all our past distinguished Presidents since 1992 to date in our governance architecture?

To state categorically without any malice, President Mahama has so far done his part, but he does not deserve an extension of his tenure of office, and this shouldn't spark a debate whatsoever.

In addition, we have astute and distinguished political figures in both political divides, and President Mahama is not the only politician with a repository of knowledge to continue to govern the Country for more than two terms.

Former President Rawlings, Former President Kufour, President Atta Mills, and Former President Nana Addo have all served to the best of their abilities, and Ghana is proud of their service to the Nation.

Are you asserting that the above-mentioned illustrious sons of the Country didn't do anything to the growth and development of Ghana, Mr Kojo Adu Asare? This begs for answers.

I didn't want to respond to your undemocratic and unsmart commentary on the subject for discussion but as a young and upcoming politician, I find it prudent to address you on this matter.

Under normal circumstances, you have the right to lobby for an appointment from President Mahama; however, this calculated move by you and others undermines the success we have chalked up as a Country as the beacon of hope in Africa and the world at large.

So far, no one can boast that President Mahama has done better than our revered past Presidents of great repute in upholding the democratic credentials of the Country.

Like I stated earlier, he has done his part but he can't be crowned as the phenomenal President the Country has ever produced to manage the affairs of the State.

For a reminder and under the watch of President Mahama, galamsey activities have worsened insecurity, which is everywhere, and it appears he lacks the gravitas to curb the rapid unemployment facing the youth of the Country.

At this juncture, Mr. Kojo Adu Asare, I implore you to abandon this misguided and unrealistic move you have intended to test the laws of the Country when, in actual fact, the Presidential term limit for President Mahama is clearly stated by the Constitution of the Country.

We have other equally pressing matters you must focus your energy and time on for a prosperous Country, not this fruitless venture to catch the eye or attention of President Mahama for appointment.

Thank you.

Long live Ghana!

Long live pure democracy!

By: Abdulai Abdul-Razak

Tamale South Constituency

abdulrazakabdulai940@gmail.com

0542184296

   Comments0