The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed a writ of summons and statement of case with the Supreme Court, seeking an interpretation of Articles 58(2) and 66(1), (2) and (3)(a) of the 1992 Constitution regarding presidential term limits.
In the July 28, 2026 filing, the party’s solicitor, Godfred Yeboah Dame of Dame & Partners, asked the court to clarify whether the two‑term limit applies to consecutive and non‑consecutive terms alike.
The NPP wants the court to declare that a person cannot be elected President more than twice or hold the office for more than two four‑year terms, amounting to eight years, regardless of whether the terms are consecutive. It also seeks clarification on the eligibility of a Vice‑President who assumes the presidency for more than half of a predecessor’s unexpired term, arguing that such a person would be eligible to contest only one additional term.
The party contends that interpreting the limit as applying only to two consecutive terms could allow a former president to serve two additional terms after a break, a move it deems a threat to Ghana’s constitutional framework. It says such an interpretation would effectively amend the Constitution through judicial action.
“Plaintiff considers this proposition not only absurd but dangerous for the democracy, peace and stability of the nation,” the statement of case reads. The NPP also cites the United States’ 22nd Amendment, constitutional developments in other African countries and the 2011 Constitution Review Commission report recommending clarification on the disqualification of a person who has served two presidential terms.
The suit comes amid public debate over whether the constitutional phrase “two terms” means two terms in total or two consecutive terms. The Supreme Court will now decide whether to hear the case and provide the sought clarification.
