As former President John Dramani Mahama departs Ghana to participate in high-level global security dialogues, including the Munich Security Conference and the AU meeting in Ethiopia, legal scholar Kwaku Azar has stirred up a fresh constitutional debate back home.
In a Facebook post that’s quickly gaining traction online, Kwaku Azar argued that:
“The idea that the President can’t govern from abroad is a myth—crafted by Date-Bah, not the Constitution. Time to bury it. Da Yie!”
His statement appears to challenge criticisms raised by the Minority, who have expressed unease over Mahama’s decision to travel while still actively fulfilling presidential duties. The concerns mirror a longstanding view that presidential authority cannot be fully exercised outside Ghana’s borders—a view Kwaku Azar now describes as legally unfounded.
Mahama’s trip, which spans February 12 to 17, includes engagements with global leaders, participation in key forums, and a scheduled speech on African security challenges. As Chairman of the Tana Forum, he is expected to lend strategic insights to continental security policy.
Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu defended the trip, emphasizing its relevance to Ghana’s diplomatic and security interests. “President Mahama’s presence at these global platforms strengthens Ghana’s role in shaping international policy,” he noted at the airport.
However, the constitutional debate over whether a president can fully govern while abroad has resurfaced—this time with Kwaku Azar calling for clarity and finality. By attributing the restriction to Justice Date-Bah’s interpretation rather than the Constitution itself, he reignites questions about the legal foundation of such claims.
