Justice Dzamefe affirms support for presidential term limits

Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the constitutional provision that limits a president to two terms in office, emphasising his respect for the clear guidelines outlined in the 1992 Constitution.

Justice Dzamefe made this statement during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday June 16, 2025.

He was responding to a question from Suame MP John Darko, who sought his view on Article 66(2) of the Constitution, which restricts an individual to two terms as President of the Republic of Ghana.

“Do you think this provision is subject to interpretation?” the MP asked.

Justice Dzamefe responded firmly, stating that he adheres strictly to the Constitution’s text and sees no ambiguity in the provision.

“Mr. Chairman, the honorable member referred to the Constitution, and that is what it states. I cannot have anything against what is in the Constitution,” he said.

Justice Dzamefe’s comments come amid rising political tension following allegations by the Minority Leader and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who accused President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of pursuing a third-term agenda.

In an interview on May 1, 2025, Afenyo-Markin cited the President’s recent nomination of seven justices to the Supreme Court as part of what he alleged to be a broader plan to manipulate the judiciary in favor of a third presidential term.

“It is obvious that the bold attempt by the president to nominate seven judges to the Supreme Court out of the blue is the first major step in what they have rehearsed, a third-term agenda,” he claimed.

“All that the NDC is doing is under the advice of the hawks within the party to push a third-term plan for its leadership,” he added.

Meanwhile, the debate over presidential term limits has become a major issue, both in Ghana and across the African continent.

NAD/MA

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