Supreme Court to Rule on Presidential Term Limits and Mining Laws Amid Heightened Judicial Scrutiny

Ghana's legal landscape is currently defined by a series of high-stakes cases before the Supreme Court, most notably a constitutional challenge to the nation's presidential term limits. Two individuals, Ganiwu Alhassan and Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie, have filed separate suits seeking an interpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution. The plaintiffs are questioning whether the two-term limit applies strictly to consecutive terms or to any two terms in total. Kuranchie argues that a break of at least one electoral cycle should reset a candidate's eligibility, a move that could have significant implications for future presidential aspirations. The Attorney-General has been given 14 days to respond to these filings, which seek to clarify if barring non-consecutive candidates violates constitutional rights.

In a parallel legal development, the Supreme Court has issued a stay of execution on a Court of Appeal ruling that ordered the Bank of Ghana to restore the operating license of GN Savings and Loans Limited. The license was originally revoked during the central bank's financial sector clean-up, and the current suspension ensures the status quo remains until the Supreme Court hears a full appeal. This case sits alongside other major corporate and criminal litigations, including the ongoing trial of Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM 1). The former Menzgold CEO recently filed witness statements as he defends against 39 charges, including money laundering and defrauding over 16,000 investors of more than GH"340 million.

Adding to the judicial workload, lawyers for the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), are seeking a Supreme Court interpretation of the Minerals and Mining Act. Wontumi, who faces charges for facilitating unauthorized mining, argues that certain provisions of the Act are unconstitutionally vague and violate the right to a fair trial. A ruling on the referral of these sections to the apex court is expected in July 2026. Meanwhile, the judiciary itself faces calls for internal scrutiny, as the Sra Langmasi Royals have petitioned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to recuse himself from a Yilo Krobo chieftaincy dispute to maintain public confidence in the legal process.

These legal battles coincide with growing calls for systemic reform and accountability within Ghanaian institutions. The Greater Accra Regional Ghana Bar Association recently advocated for a shift toward ethical leadership and transparency, moving beyond mere regulatory compliance to a "rebooted" corporate governance model. This plea for integrity is underscored by the Auditor-General's 2025 report, which highlighted a staggering GH"5.26 billion in financial irregularities across public institutions. Together, these developments suggest a pivotal moment for Ghana's democracy, where the interpretation of the law and the strength of institutional oversight will determine the nation's path toward economic stability and political clarity.