Third-term debate is NPP propaganda, Mahama has been consistent – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has dismissed claims that President John Dramani Mahama intends to seek a third term in office, describing the debate as a propaganda campaign orchestrated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him, there has never been any ambiguity about the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits or President Mahama's position on the issue.

Speaking on Channel One TV's Face to Face on Tuesday, August 4, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the controversy emerged during the 2024 general election campaign after the NPP realised it was likely to lose the polls.

“What happened was that in the heat of the 2024 elections, the NPP somehow saw that all was lost. So they came up with this very desperate bit of propaganda about the third term. But it was never really an issue,” he said.

He maintained that President Mahama has repeatedly made it clear that he has no intention of seeking a third term, citing remarks delivered on both local and international platforms.

“President Mahama has been clear on it. It was on an international platform in Singapore; he said so. About three weeks ago, he said the same,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.

While acknowledging that the Supreme Court's pending determination on presidential term limits could provide additional legal clarity, the Government Spokesperson insisted that the Constitution is already explicit on the matter.

“Maybe the Supreme Court will bring further clarity to them. But as far as we are concerned, it's very clear. And there's no doubt about it,” he said.

The debate over a possible third-term bid has resurfaced following a case before the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of the 1992 Constitution's provisions on presidential tenure.

However, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said there was no basis for the speculation, stressing that President Mahama has not departed from his publicly stated position.

“There's no indication, as of now, that President Mahama has changed his mind on the matter,” he added.