The Minority Caucus in Parliament is alleging that President John Mahama may be laying the groundwork for a controversial and unconstitutional third-term bid.
In a statement titled “A Stand in Solidarity with Political Parties Ahead of May 5th Demonstration to Defend Ghana’s Democracy,” the Minority did not mince words.
It accused the executive of orchestrating a grand scheme to undermine democratic institutions and manipulate constitutional provisions to benefit President Mahama, who is currently serving his second non-consecutive term.
“Be it an attempt to create an environment to conveniently reinterpret Article 66(2) of the Constitution—to pave the way for a third-term presidential bid by former President John Mahama—such orchestrations are a clear abuse of the power and trust the people of Ghana place in the hands of the executive,” the statement read.
The allegation is at the heart of a nationwide demonstration scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, to be led by an unlikely coalition of political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), the National Democratic Party (NDP), and the People’s National Party (PNP).
Their common goal: defend Ghana’s democracy from what they say is a coordinated assault on its constitutional foundation.
According to the Minority, the signs of democratic backsliding are undeniable.
They point to the “unlawful suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice” and “politically motivated termination of appointments of public servants” as evidence of an executive power grab intended to clear the path for Mahama’s third-term ambitions.
The statement warned that Ghana could be heading toward a full-blown constitutional crisis, stating, “These actions, if allowed to proceed, risk plunging Ghana into a crisis of legitimacy.”
The Minority Caucus contends that judicial intimidation is becoming a tool of executive convenience.
“The blatant disregard for legal processes and the growing trend of judicial intimidation, as witnessed in the Chief Justice’s suspension, represents a direct assault on the progress made in our legacy of democratic governance and rule of law,” the statement added.
The Caucus also raised alarm over reports that the government is planning to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies—another move it interprets as a strategy to compromise the 2028 elections in advance.
The group condemned what it described as “the injudicious motive of perceived affiliations” behind the mass termination of public servants, warning that the job losses are not only unjustified but are also sowing seeds of unrest among the youth.
“This is not about partisanship. This is about principle. It is about preserving the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and protecting the constitutional fabric of our beloved nation,” the statement said.
The Minority’s rallying cry comes as political tensions mount across the country. They called on “every citizen who cherishes democracy” to join Monday’s protest in what they describe as a defining moment in Ghana’s democratic history.
“We must rise in unity and resolve, not as spectators, but as defenders of the Republic. The time to act is now,” it concluded.
Source | Myjoyonline
