I Don’t Understand Why Mahama Ruled Out a Third Term – A-Plus

Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng—widely known as Kwame A-Plus—says he is puzzled by President John Dramani Mahama’s public declaration that he will not seek a third presidential term.

In a recent interview shared on social media, A-Plus said he respects and admires Mahama but does not understand why the president made such a statement, especially when “no one asked him to.”

A-Plus: Should Mahama Even Have Ruled It Out?

When asked whether Mahama should have considered amending the constitution to contest again, A-Plus questioned whether countries with rapid development would have succeeded under frequent elections.

“I don’t even understand why Mahama said he wouldn’t contest for a third term. Do you think China would have developed if elections were held every four years?
Do you think the UAE would be doing so well if they had elections every four years?” he said.

He argued that Ghana’s democratic cycle disrupts long-term development plans, adding that the way democracy is practiced in Africa is part of the continent’s major developmental challenges.

“Africa’s Problem Is the Way We Practice Democracy”

A-Plus said the continent needs a style of democracy that encourages consensus rather than constant electoral cycles.

“Democracy is about consensus-building, and as long as we can reach consensus, that’s democracy. In the Western world, they built their countries before introducing democracy,” he noted.

Mahama Has Reaffirmed His Two-Term Limit

In August 2025, President Mahama publicly reaffirmed that he would honor Ghana’s constitutional two-term presidential limit. He emphasized that he will not appear on the ballot in 2028, ruling out any attempt to seek a third term.