Mahama Rules Out 2028 Bid, Vows to Uphold Two-Term Limit

By Joylinda Laryea / 27 August, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has put to rest growing speculation about a possible third-term presidential run, firmly stating that he will not contest the 2028 elections. He pledged to uphold Ghana’s constitutional two-term limit, describing it as a vital principle of democratic governance.

 President Mahama explained that respecting the term limit would allow him the freedom to implement strict fiscal discipline, particularly avoiding the common trend of election year overspending.

“We have never run our party in ways that conflict with the national constitution, and we don’t intend to do that,” Mahama said. “We will stick by the tenets of the Constitution.”

His remarks come amidst speculation regarding internal succession plans within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and concerns raised by opposition figures about Mahama potentially seeking a third term. Mahama dismissed those claims, reinforcing the NDC’s respect for constitutional limits.

While on a three-day state visit to Singapore, Mahama also held bilateral talks with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, where he criticized the recurring tendency of governments to relax financial discipline in election years. He noted that under his leadership, Ghana had seen falling inflation and interest rates, and a strengthened cedi achievements he intends to preserve by remaining fiscally responsible.

Backing Mahama’s statement, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah also confirmed that the party has no intention of fielding Mahama beyond his final term, reiterating the NDC’s full commitment to Ghana’s constitution.

President Mahama’s declaration is expected to shift political conversations toward succession and future leadership within the NDC as the party prepares for post-2028 transitions.