Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has told President John Mahama that the opposition will not allow him a third term, accusing the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hiding a "third term agenda" beneath the Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Effutu MP said the budget presentation looked good on paper but did not reflect the true state of the economy for ordinary Ghanaians.

"Third term? You are not performing [but] you want a third term," he said. "Ato Forson, you are here presenting a budget and beneath it, is a third term agenda, where you're going to spend money for people to be calling for a third term. We're watching you with eagle eyes."

"You won't have a third term, today nor tomorrow," he emphasised.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised the NDC's economic record, citing the cancellation of the NPP's One-District-One-Factory policy, the dismissal of public sector workers, and rising electricity tariffs.

"We are not interested in the books. We are interested in the economy in our pockets. People are suffering. People need jobs," he said.

Background

President Mahama first became president in 2012, succeeding the late President John Evans Atta-Mills, before being elected in his own right that year. He was defeated by Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections and returned to power after winning the 2024 elections, a term the NDC regards as his second. There is now debate over whether the party will seek a further term for him, which it attributes to what it describes as a successful reset of Ghana's economy — a claim the main opposition NPP disputes.

The NPP is seeking to return to power with former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer.