The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has commented on what he describes as increasing public calls from Ghanaians for President John Dramani Mahama to serve a third term.
Addressing Parliament on December 19, 2025, Ayariga attributed the growing calls from Ghanaians to the exceptional performance of the government since it took office.
According to him, citizens believe the president’s record in office warrants continuity beyond the current constitutional limit.
“I know that due to the very excellent performance so far of John Dramani Mahama, Ghanaians are asking him to seek a third term. I know that because I read on social media, I listen to conversations and Ghanaians believe that as a result of the good deeds of his Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, they don’t want him to leave the presidency,” the leader stated.
While acknowledging the public calls, Ayariga was quick to clarify that President Mahama has not indicated any intention to seek another term.
He further noted that although public sentiment may be strong, the future leadership of the country ultimately rests with the people and Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“They believe that a third term is possible and they are demanding for a third term but John Dramani Mahama has not given any indication that he wants to go for a third term. I have always said that Ghanaians will be the ultimate deciders of the future of this country,” he continued.
Ayariga further argued that democratic systems provide legitimate avenues for citizens to either endorse or reject leaders seeking to extend their stay in office.
Drawing from regional experience, he recalled discussions with opposition politicians from Côte d’Ivoire who were resisting a similar attempt by their president.
“Mr Speaker, why do I say that? Next to us in Côte d’Ivoire, the opposition leaders came to me when I was in the ECOWAS parliament and complained that the president there wanted to go for a third term and they were calling on us in West Africa to support them to oppose and prevent the president from going for a third term,” he recalled.
He noted, “So, I asked them, the president who is seeking for a third term, is he going to put a ballot box in front of the citizens and ask them to vote for him to go for a third term or is he going to wake up early morning and announce that he is continuing for a third term? And they said there will be an election to determine whether or not he should go for a third term. I said go and fight him at that election.”
He concluded by stressing that fears surrounding a potential third term should not override constitutional processes or democratic choice.
“Mr Speaker, that is why I say that ultimately it will be the constitution, the institutions and the citizens of Ghana who will determine the future of our country. Mr Speaker, your guidance and leadership have ensured that our legislative process, though often cumbersome, were conducted within the bounds of parliamentary decorum and democratic responsibility,” he indicated.
