Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has endorsed a proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the additional year would give governments more time to implement policies and deliver development projects.
Mr Kufuor said the current four-year term was too short for a developing country like Ghana, particularly because the final year is often dominated by election campaigns rather than governance and policy implementation.
“Four years is too short for a young nation that is trying to develop,” he said, drawing on his experience as a former president.
He explained that a five-year term would allow governments to devote four years to implementing their programmes, with the fifth year serving as the main period for electioneering.
According to Mr Kufuor, election years are often characterised by political promises and campaigning, making it difficult for governments to concentrate fully on development priorities.
He maintained that he supports the two-term presidential limit but believes each term should last five years to provide a more practical timeframe for governance.
Mr Kufuor also rejected suggestions that his proposal was intended to prolong his own stay in office, saying he first raised the issue during his final State of the Nation Address based on his practical experience as president.
He acknowledged that his position differs from that of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of which he is a member, but said the party was entitled to its own view.
“Now I say five years. If, for whatever reason, my party (NPP) says no, that is their point of view,” he said.
The proposal forms part of Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review debate. Any change to the presidential term would have to follow the applicable constitutional amendment process before it could take effect.
The debate has centred on whether a longer presidential term would give successive governments sufficient time to implement policies and complete development projects while maintaining democratic accountability through regular elections.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
