An aspiring Deputy Communications Officer for the Tema West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Moses Klomega has backed the government’s decision to consider extending the tenure of the President from four years to five years, arguing that it could help address challenges associated with Ghana’s political transition process.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, the morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, he said Ghana’s Fourth Republic has consistently faced difficulties during transitions from one administration to another.
According to him, extending the presidential term would create an enabling environment for both outgoing and incoming governments. He explained that an additional year could provide the incumbent administration with more time to account for its stewardship while ensuring a smoother transition for the incoming government.
He further argued that if the proposal is approved, the additional year should be clearly defined within the constitutional framework and dedicated to transition activities, appointments, and other governance-related processes to strengthen continuity in government.
He also noted that although governments are elected for four-year terms, only about two years are effectively available for implementing development programmes, as the early months of an administration are spent settling into office while the final year is largely dominated by political campaigns and election-related activities.
However, he cautioned that any extension of the presidential term must be accompanied by strong constitutional safeguards to prevent future abuse, warning that without clear limits, future leaders could seek further extensions.
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has formally accepted the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendation to extend the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament from four years to five years.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced the decision on Wednesday while presenting the government’s White Paper on the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations.
According to Dr. Ayine, the current four-year electoral cycle places significant constraints on governance, with the early months of every administration devoted to transition activities and the final year largely consumed by electioneering.
He explained that because the presidential term is an entrenched provision under the 1992 Constitution, any amendment would require approval through a national referendum. For the proposal to succeed, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate, with no fewer than 75 percent voting in favour of the amendment.