A Ghanaian citizen, Peter Yaw Ackah, has written an open letter to President John Dramani Mahama appealing to him to publicly rule out any consideration of a third term in office and to protect the integrity of Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution.
In an open letter issued on Friday, July 24, 2026, Mr. Ackah said recent public discussion about a possible “third term agenda” gained momentum following the President’s remarks in the Volta Region, which he noted were “diplomatic” but have been interpreted by many as ambiguous.
“Mr. President, I write to you not as an opponent, but as a concerned citizen who respects your office and your legacy,” he stated. “If there is any consideration at all toward a third term, I respectfully urge you to reconsider.”
Mr. Ackah cited Article 66(2) of the Constitution, which states that “a person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.” He noted that because it is an entrenched provision, amending it would require a two-thirds parliamentary vote and a national referendum.
He warned that any attempt to amend the clause would set a dangerous precedent. “Tomorrow, another President will point to your action and say ‘Mahama did it.’ We will open the floodgates and make it nearly impossible for power to ever change hands peacefully again in the 4th Republic. That is a burden no leader should carry.”
The letter also referenced Ghana’s expected assumption of the African Union Chairmanship in 2027. Mr. Ackah argued that Ghana’s moral authority to urge other African leaders to respect term limits would be undermined if the Constitution was changed at home.
“As AU Chair, your primary moral authority will be to urge fellow African leaders to respect term limits and constitutionalism. If Ghana, under your leadership, changes Article 66, what moral ground will we have?” he asked.
Mr. Ackah further warned that any move to alter term limits could trigger nationwide protests and investor anxiety. “That instability sends a terrible signal to international partners and investors. It will erode the gains you are making with the 24-Hour Economy, the Big Push, and your job-creation agenda,” he said.
He also raised the cost of a referendum, saying the billions of cedis required “can fund apprenticeship programs, expand the 24-Hour Economy, complete Big Push roads, and create jobs for our teeming unemployed youth.”
On legacy, the author said President Mahama is “respected as a statesman” globally and that an attempt to amend Article 66 “will permanently dent that reputation.”
He added that great leaders “build institutions and mentor successors” and that the NDC “is blessed with capable men and women.”
Mr. Ackah noted that the President and NDC executives have previously stated they are not interested in a third term.
He urged the President to “commission internal and external research” and to address the nation “one more time and make it emphatically clear that you have no interest in a third term and that Article 66 will remain untouched.”
“Please do not allow yourself to be misled by sycophants and self-serving advisors.
“That single statement will kill the rumors, unite the country, and allow your government to focus 100% on delivering for Ghanaians,” the letter added.
