Ghana’s parliamentary Minority is weighing impeachment proceedings against President John Dramani Mahama, accusing him of violating Article 60 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines presidential succession. The controversy stems from Mahama’s recent trip abroad while both Vice President and Speaker of Parliament were unavailable — raising fears of a constitutional vacuum. Compounding the issue is the suspension of the Chief Justice, with no formal swearing-in of the acting Chief Justice to assume presidential duties.
Minority MPs from the New Patriotic Party argue this oversight breaches constitutional protocol. Legal counsel for the Minority, John Darko, warned on Tuesday that if such actions continue, impeachment could be pursued.
“We will not sit idly by while the Constitution is violated without consequences,” Darko said, cautioning that tolerating such breaches risks setting dangerous precedents — including concerns over potential attempts at a third presidential term. Under Article 60(11), the Speaker is constitutionally mandated to assume presidential duties in the absence of both the President and Vice President, but only after taking the presidential oath — a step missed in this instance.
The incident has intensified political tensions, with the opposition demanding accountability and constitutional adherence from the presidency.
