The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has firmly stated that the party has no plans to present President John Dramani Mahama for a third term, emphasising the party’s full commitment to the dictates of Ghana’s constitution. Responding to speculation around President Mahama’s political future and internal party succession plans, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah reaffirmed the NDC’s respect for constitutional term limits and democratic governance.
“We have never run our party in ways that conflict with the national constitution, and we don’t intend to do that,” he said. “We will stick by the tenets of the Constitution.” His remarks come amid rising interest in who might succeed President Mahama when his current term ends in 2029, with speculation surrounding several top NDC figures, including Asiedu Nketiah himself.
Asked about his own presidential ambitions, Mr. Nketiah cautioned against premature declarations, warning that early campaigning could undermine the current administration’s focus and achievements. “The party has not declared anything,” he noted. “I keep repeating my caution that we have to be very careful about the way we express our ambitions. Whoever succeeds President Mahama will ride on the achievements of the current government.”
He stressed that individuals jostling for succession too early could end up destabilising the government’s agenda, ultimately harming the party’s electoral prospects. “If you conduct yourself in ways that will disrupt the activities of this government in ways that will make the government less successful, then you have a bigger problem,” he said. “President Mahama is only about eight months in office now, and you want to struggle to decide who will replace him—you know what it can cause.”
Touching on recent political rumours, he acknowledged the names being floated—including his own—but urged all party leaders and members in sensitive positions to exercise restraint.
“If all of us decide today that, ‘Well, people say I can be president, so let me start organising,’ then everybody will be going across the country appointing campaign coordinators. How do you think that President Mahama can focus on achieving anything?”
By: Abigail Arthur
