A Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Asah-Asante, has cautioned against any move that could undermine Ghana’s democratic stability, citing the negative experiences of third-term presidential bids across Africa.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, August 5, Dr Asah-Asante said while individuals have the constitutional right to seek interpretation of legal matters from the Supreme Court, the broader implications of a possible third-term agenda must be carefully considered.
He noted that Ghana must draw lessons from other African countries where attempts by leaders to extend their stay in office created political tensions.
“Let us know that it’s everybody’s right to go to court and seek redress whenever there is an issue that he or she does not have the interpretation. So we can’t take that right from them,” he said.
“However, the issue of third-term agenda is a big issue, and we should not just look at Ghana, look at the experience in Africa so that we can be very careful when we are dealing with our democracy,” he added.
Dr Asah-Asante referenced countries including Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Malawi and Namibia, where third-term extensions have occurred, arguing that such developments have often been associated with democratic challenges.
“The story of the third-term agenda has never been a good one,” he said.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey, despite existing challenges, has provided the country with stability and must be protected from actions that could create uncertainty.
“The way this democracy has served us, in spite of a few lingering challenges, it has done its best for us, and we have had stability. So anything that would toy with this democracy and make it difficult to run, I’m afraid we should shy away from,” he stated.
Three individuals have filed suits at the Supreme Court seeking interpretation of Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution, which deals with presidential term limits.
Dr Asah-Asante said he expects the apex court to deliver a decision that will provide clarity and settle the debate surrounding the matter.
“I have hope that the Supreme Court would deliver the judgment that will stand the test of time, and it will lay to rest all the noise that is around this subject,” he said.
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