Minority Slams Mahama Gov’t Over Constitutional Breach as President, Vice, and Speaker Exit Country

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has launched a scathing criticism of the Mahama administration, accusing it of violating the Constitution of Ghana after it emerged that President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, and Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho were all outside the country simultaneously.

At a press conference on Monday, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson described the development as an "unprecedented constitutional failure" that endangered the smooth governance of the state and undermined constitutional protocols.

“It is deeply troubling that at no point should the first three top officials of the country be absent simultaneously. This is not only irresponsible, but it is a clear breach of Article 60 of the 1992 Constitution,” Forson stated.

Article 60(11) of the Constitution mandates a clear line of succession and assigns presidential responsibilities in the absence of both the President and the Vice President. According to the Minority, this simultaneous absence raises serious questions about who was legally in charge of the country during that period.

Reports indicate that President Mahama was attending an international conference abroad, the Vice President was on a diplomatic visit, and the Speaker had travelled on parliamentary business. The situation has left Ghanaians wondering whether constitutional protocols were properly followed in delegating presidential responsibilities during the overlap.

The Minority is demanding full disclosure from the Presidency, including who was officially acting as President during the absence and whether the appropriate procedures were followed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“This is not a mere lapse in communication; it is a national security risk. Ghana deserves transparency and respect for the rule of law,” Forson added.

While there has yet to be a formal response from the Presidency, senior government sources have downplayed the criticism, suggesting that transitional measures were put in place in line with established protocol.

However, constitutional experts say the situation demands urgent clarification to avoid setting a dangerous precedent. Professor H. Kwame Frempong, a constitutional lawyer, explained that “even if proper delegation was done, the optics of such simultaneous absence are politically and constitutionally sensitive.”

Public reaction has been mixed, with some social media users echoing the Minority’s concerns, while others argue that the matter is being politicized.

With increasing public interest and mounting political pressure, the Presidency may soon be forced to provide an official account of how the power vacuum—perceived or real—was managed.