“Your Mahama can’t run for 2nd term suit defective” – SC to Ken Kuranchie
The Supreme Court of Ghana has deemed the lawsuit filed by Ken Kuranchie, Editor-in-chief of the Daily Searchlight, against former President John Mahama as “defective.” In the suit, Kuranchie aimed to prevent Mahama from running as the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress in the upcoming 2024 general election.
In response, the court advised Kuranchie to seek the guidance of a senior lawyer who could mentor and refine his legal skills. Kuranchie had filed the suit in July 2023, seeking a declaration that Mahama, as a former president, is ineligible to run for a second term.
Among other things, Kuranchie argued that Article 66 (1) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates a presidential term of four years. He also claimed that, according to Article 66 (1) and (2), a person seeking a second presidential term must be a sitting president. Moreover, he sought a declaration that a former president of Ghana is not qualified to run for the presidency, based on his interpretation of Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution.
Aside from Mahama, the lawsuit also named Attorney General Godfred Dame and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin as defendants.
The verdict from the Supreme Court implies that the Veteran Journalist cum lawyer Ken Kuranchie needs to go back to the drawing board to avoid fundamental errors.
Ken Kuranchie to challeng ruling after SC asks him to go back to the drawing
The Editor-in-chief of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, Kenneth Kuranchie says he will reinstitute legal proceedings against the eligibility of former President John Mahama to contest the 2024 general elections.
This follows the dismissal of his suit against Mr Mahama by the Supreme Court.
The Apex Court had indicated that the suit was flawed and lacked the necessary elements to invoke the apex court’s jurisdiction. The case was also said to have been filed out of time.
As such the Supreme Court in dismissing the case also advised the Editor-in-chief of the Daily Searchlight newspaper to thoroughly research the legal field to be better informed before filing such a suit.
But reacting to the verdict by the Supreme Court, Kurancie indicated that he had learnt his lessons and was going to correct them.
He further highlighted that “I still believe that the gravamen of the case that I intend to prosecute still stands. I still believe that the case should be re-prosecuted.”
Mr. Kuranchie had justified his suit against John Dramani Mahama, saying that he is not qualified to contest in the 2024 polls.
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News earlier in June 2023, Mr. Kuranchie said the former president was a ward of Parliament and needed its approval before he could contest.
“I am seeking about eight declarations, some of which are picked out of Article 68. Based on Article 68 (2) our former president becomes a ward of Parliament and needs to go to Parliament to seek its approval,” he stated.
Mr Kuranchie said he wanted the Supreme Court to agree that the presidential term was four years and that once a president was out of office, he was still an employee of the state.
He however failed to in his quest to get Mr. Mahama kicked out of the 2024 polls.
