BY Issah Olegor
President John Dramani Mahama has moved to dispel growing concerns that his administration is steering Ghana towards authoritarianism, firmly rejecting suggestions that he harbours intentions of becoming a “supreme leader.”
Speaking at a Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Mahama stressed his unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy and pledged to leave office when his tenure ends in 2028.
“Certainly, I’m not on the way to becoming a supreme leader or an autocrat,” he declared. “I will not seek to amend the Constitution to run for a third term. My respect for democratic governance is intact, and I remain a democrat through and through.”
Background
The President’s comments come against a backdrop of mounting suspicion over the concentration of political power in the executive arm of government.
The 1992 Constitution limits a President to two four-year terms, but the National Democratic Congress (NDC) two-thirds majority in Parliament has fuelled speculation that it could push for constitutional changes to extend Mahama’s tenure.
Those fears were heightened after the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo on September 1, 2025.
Her dismissal, carried out under Article 146(9) of the Constitution following a committee recommendation, has been widely interpreted by critics as a politically motivated move to weaken judicial independence.
The Presidency insists that Justice Torkornoo’s removal was lawful and based on a citizen’s petition, but her supporters have argued that the decision was orchestrated to consolidate executive dominance.
Political Opposition Raises Alarm
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been one of the loudest voices warning of creeping authoritarianism.
Its Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, speaking on Channel One TV, accused Mahama of effectively becoming a “supreme leader.”
“What you have in Ghana after the President’s removal of the Chief Justice is a legislature dominated by the government and a Judiciary that can now be compromised,” Richard Ahiagbah argued.
“So now you have effectively a supreme leader. Parliament is essentially his, and the Judiciary will effectively become his.”
Though the Presidency rejects these claims, the comments have added fuel to a heated debate over whether Ghana’s separation of powers is being undermined.
Mahama’s Rebuttal
President Mahama countered such accusations by highlighting his record. He recalled that even when the NDC secured a super majority in Parliament, he had pledged not to use it to “ride roughshod” over the minority but to strengthen democratic processes.
“We know we intend to use that two-thirds majority not to steamroll our democracy but to protect it,” he said.
He also stressed that institutional independence remained central to his governance philosophy.
“Attempts to weaken institutions for political gain undermine Ghana’s democratic progress. I am committed to ensuring this does not happen under my watch.”
24-Hour Economy Drive
Away from the controversy, the President used the media encounter to highlight policy initiatives under his flagship 24-Hour Economy Vision.
He announced Cabinet’s approval of the 24-Hour Authority Bill, which is now headed to Parliament.
President John Mahama cited examples of state institutions already operating under the new framework, including the Ghana Publishing Company, the Passport Office, and Ghana’s foreign missions. Ports at Tema and Takoradi have also shifted to round-the-clock operations to ease trade bottlenecks.
To secure this expanded system, the President said a dedicated 24-Hour Economy Policy Secretariat has been established within the Ministry of Interior to coordinate continuous national security support.
“These bold steps,” he noted, “signal Ghana’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and job-rich economy.”
Balancing Democracy And Power
With critics raising alarms about creeping autocracy and supporters pointing to legal safeguards, the Mahama administration now faces the challenge of maintaining public confidence in the democracy.
For now, the President is clear: he rejects the “supreme leader” label and insists he will leave office in 2028, but the controversy surrounding the dismissal of the Chief Justice and the NDC’s parliamentary dominance will likely keep the debate alive.
