In the past week or so I, the Old Man, have been stirred in my sleep by the quaint theme of a third term that was raised in ages past, but was quickly booed and buried. But here is it again, refusing to die. By third term, I refer not to the first term, second term, and third term of senior high schools, with chop boxes and all; nor the Term 3 of parliamentary boys and girls: ‘Good Morning Mr Speaker.’ I refer to the third term ofa living president in Ogyakrom, down here on earth. In other words, the same presidential face for ‘por-por-por-por 12 years in a country of countless presidential hopefuls.
When this nightmare occurred last year, democracy watch dogs went to work with an expellant, and speedily fumigated the fouled space saying: ‘Krakye, the Constitution allows two terms only,’ period! The incumbent JM would not fall for the day dreamers either; he vehemently said No, Tofiakwa! On my part, I pointed accusing fingers on sycophants and praise singers of JM, who might be testing the waters. Just listen to my right hand on Facebook December 2025:
“The whole truth about the third term comedy is simply that J M’s second and final term has frustrated late starters who had preferred to ‘drink deep or taste not.’ Tasting a 4year appetizer with no opportunities for the main event could leave a messy aftermath: a spectacle of ill-digested booty, unpaid debts, unroofed skyscrapers, and even more painfully, unsuccessful potbellies.”
On a continent often noted for buffoonery in presidential tenures, the Black Star of Africa was expected to know better, and not join the ridiculous bunch of leaders who remain squatting on the throne until their batteries die. To date, Africa holds the record of hosting most of the world’s oldest presidents, led at 93 by Cameroon’s Paul Biya. A few others hobble their way to Independence Day parades, with a presidential ambulance in tow.
And have we not been witnesses to leaking presidential pampers in full view of TV cameras? Not to mention one decrepit president who while inspecting a guard of honor on a state visit abroad fell off his feet. Thanks to his host who kept an eye on him the rest of his trip.
For goodness sake, let JDM not fall in the trap of praise singers, to be lifted so high and allowed a free fall without a parachute. During our transit to the 4th Republic in 1992,when JJ’s cheer leaders were in tears, urging him to ‘hand over to whom,’ I volunteered a few reminders from my diary, where ‘permanent’ presidents were eventually booted out with miserable percentages of votes: Sassou Nguesso of Congo 17%; Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda 20%, etc. Kerekou of Benin 30% of votes in 1991, etc.
In the case of Ghana, the quest for ‘extra time’ has often arisen close to handing over ceremonies, when presidents suddenly discover that without them, the world ends. In all such cases, incumbents simply see the succession queue as a kindergarten; with Indomie-loving hopefuls babbling behind their mothers’ back. It has happened over and over again since 1978, when a single heavenly phone call has altered the nation’s destiny. In the case of General Acheampong one American spiritualist, Clara Prophet, suddenly descended from nowhere and publicly urged the incumbent to handover to himself ‘in Jesus’ name.’ That conspiracy for a Union Government with the good general as head, miserably failed. Gen Acheampong and thereafter Gen Akuffo were kicked outin the name of the same Jesus. Then again JJ’s transition afterJune 4th 1979. While orphans sobbed and wailed in the words ‘J J please continue…handover to whom;’ Ghana democratically replied, ‘Handover to Hilla Limann.’ Two-and-half years thereafter, JJ resurrected and took over his plaything called Ghana. 10 years after 31st December 1981, another handover to whom came up, and the answer was simple by the ballot: ‘JJ hands over to JJ.’ Ahead of 1992,Ghana’s new Constitution prescribed two terms only. Even the Junior Jesus complied and set the pace, followed by JAK, then Mills/JM, then NADAA. Under none of these was the nightmare of extra time considered. They all finished two terms and bowed out with honors. The only period a third term lingers, is TODAY, in the year of our Lord JM; to which the incumbent himself has unambiguously said no. This has cleared the air and enabled prospective successors in his Party to be warming up.
Any question of extra time (even if for Lionel Messi), would then be a vote of no confidence in Ghana’s Constitution which JM swore to ‘defend and protect so help me God’. It would raise questions about the caliber of hopefuls in the queue; a vote of no confidence in our beloved Vice-Pee; an indictment on ‘Ei Ato’ and his exchange rate; zero confidencein Weep-Not-Child Julius; and a virtual insecticide spray on General Mosquito, alias Mr Thank-You-Tour.
Ultimately, it belittles the stature of any leader who fails to mentor others for future succession.
And who volunteered to take the third term agenda to the Supreme court? Is it Ken Kuranchie our good friend the journalist? Is it Ken the people’s hero, to whom the Supreme Court handed a ten-day jail term for contempt of court, at the Election Petition Hearings 2013? Is it Uncle Ken who in 2023 filed a writ at the Supreme Court challenging the eligibility of JM to contest the 2024 presidential elections? Is it the same Ken that now contemplates extra term for JM through the Supreme court? Times have changed.
Uncle Ken Kuranchie, you are truly a principled lawyer/journalist. On the other hand, are you nursing a pot-belly; if not, could all this be prophecy-driven, or simply hallucination?
My good friend, please go and wash your face one of these days.
I have anointing oil.
By Kwesi Yankah
kyankah@ashesi.edu.gh
