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President Mahama is an ‘Imperial President’, Parliament and Judiciary Can’t Control Him – Kofi Bentil
September 27, 2025
Private legal practitioner Kofi Bentil has described President John Dramani Mahama as an “imperial president,” arguing that he wields overwhelming influence over Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, Mr. Bentil claimed that the President has effectively consolidated control over both Parliament and the judiciary, institutions that are ordinarily expected to serve as checks on executive power.
“Today, President Mahama is an imperial president. What do I mean by that? He has total control over Parliament and the judiciary; he has muted them. Today, as we speak, President Mahama is enjoying extreme popularity,” he stated.
Mr. Bentil’s comments came during a panel discussion on a poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics, which revealed that 64 percent of Ghanaians prefer a younger leader going into the 2028 elections.
The poll findings, presented by Global InfoAnalytics Executive Director Mussa Dankwah, suggested that many citizens want leadership that reflects the energy and aspirations of Ghana’s youthful population.
While Mr. Dankwah stopped short of defining what age bracket constitutes “young,” he said the data clearly points toward growing public demand for generational change.
Also reacting on the programme, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu welcomed the poll outcome, describing it as “heartwarming.”
“It is heartwarming to see that the majority of the people agree we should have young leaders. The older people have had their time; they should allow the younger ones to take over,” Mr. Kpebu said.
The debate highlights growing questions about the balance of power under President Mahama, even as discussions about the future of Ghana’s leadership intensify ahead of the 2028 polls.
