Since the inception of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the law spells out clearly the number of years a person elected as President can stay in office.
It is on the back of this that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party is challenging the eligibility of former President Mahama as he aims to contest the 2020 Presidential elections.
In an open letter addressed to Parliament, the Judiciary, former President Jerry Rawlings and copied to Peacefmonline.com, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako stated that per the explanations given in the 1992 Constitution, former President Mahama cannot represent the National Democratic Congress in any national election.
In reference to Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako explained that the state could not continue to spend money on all former Presidents only for “only one (John Mahama) to nicodemously sneak out and come and contest an election on a the ticket of a political party in 2020”.
Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution states that
(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.
(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.
(3) The office of President shall become vacant –
(a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or
(b) if the incumbent dies or resigns from office or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution.
(4) The President may, by writing signed by him, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, resign from his office as President.
Dwelling on the above article, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako commented that since our constitution directs us on how to treat all former Presidents of which Mr. John Mahama is recognized., the privileges he enjoys cannot be halted.
He added that former President Mahama now belongs to the club of ex-Presidents and it would be wrong for the state not to care for him like it does for the others.
This convention, according to Chairman Wontumi, means that former President Mahama dreams of contesting the 2020 elections has been cut short.
“If article 66 (3b) makes it clear that ever since late former President Mills passed on to eternal glory, his predecessor completed his stipulated tenure for him. Mahama has completed his tenure and there is no way he can seek for another tenure in office.”
He called on Parliament and the Judiciary to explain to Ghanaians what 66 (3b) stands for and enusre former President Mahama doesn’t become a “bandit” in his quest to lead the NDC into the 2020 Presidential election.
“If former President Rawlings and others do not speak out now, it could prepare the grounds for future chaos. Mahama wants to be the unorthodox type of former President and create confusion for us”, Chairman Wontumi warned.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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@ RICHARD, Speedy and Adom, tell us your interpretation of the Law and stop attacking Wontumi. If you guys feel that you have superior understanding of the Constitution than Wontumi, give us your version and stop behaving like pigs.
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Technically, John Dramani Mahama is an ex-president of Ghana and he is entitled to all the privileges extended to ex- presidents. It is very disheartening that the constitution was silent on this matter ; where an ex-president desires to contest for the remaining terms assuming he/she could not complete the four year term as mandated by article 66 of the constitution. I think there is some little sense in what Rev. Wontumi is saying, because Ex-President Mahama is still enjoying all the privileges as ex-president of Ghana . So what does the constitution says about such occurrence in our democratic dispensation? Should he forfeit all these benefits once he has expressed interest in the presidential race? Because, most civil servants are asked by law to resign from their position once they express interest to political race. Let us test the law in this wise so that the way would be clear to any future presidential aspirants. The law must poise to the core of this matter and clarify the position of ex-presidents who could not complete the four year therm he/she is entitled to, to justify whether the aspirants should continue to receive these benefits or forfeit it once he/she express interest to contest again for a presidential race. Because at the end of the second term the same person would be accorded the benefits under the constitution to ex-presidents. Let us remember that this case could affect all political parties in the future.
Let's test the law of the land
Ei, wontumi is now a law professor interpreting the constitution.
YOU GUYS BEHAVE LIKE ASHANTIS ARE ILLITERATES AND ***barred word*** BUT THE BRITISH WHO LIVED WITH US KNOW ASHANTIS ARE SMART WONTUMI IS SAYING SOMETHING SENSIBLE BUT THOSE WITH LITTLE IQ JUST GO TRIBAL AND CRITICIZE FOR THE FACT THAT HE'S AN ASHANTI. THE BEST THING FOR GHANA IS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION SCRAP THE IMMUNITY CLAUSE, SO EX PRESIDENTS COULD BE PROSECUTED, BECAUSE FUTURE PRESIDENTS WHEN THEY REALIZE THEY ARE GOING TO SERVE ONE TERM THEY WILL START STEALING THE MONEY SO AS TO USE IT FOR THEIR SECOND COMING.
Former President Mahama is a failure and greedy period. There are people in who can equally lead it to victory in 2020. He should give us a break
Ghanaians should listen to the sense in what this man is saying and stop attacking his personality.
Chairman Wontumi does not even understand the meanings of the clauses in the articles he read He should go and learn well
Can this Ashanti pig give us a break!!!!!