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.
In an exclusive interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah, Mr Kufuor said the current four-year term placed constraints on governments seeking to execute their programmes while preparing for another election.
He argued that a five-year term would provide a more practical timeframe for governance, allowing administrations to focus on development for four years before the final year is devoted largely to election campaigns.
“Four years is too short for a young nation that is trying to develop,” he said.
Fifth year could accommodate electioneering
Mr Kufuor explained that the fourth year of a presidential term often becomes dominated by political campaigning, leaving governments with less time to concentrate on policy implementation.
He believes extending the term would allow administrations to spend four years pursuing their development agenda, with the fifth year serving as the main period for electioneering.
“Fourth year is an election year. Election year anywhere in the world is a mud year. Everybody is going around promising and talking, and then the election comes, and you have to pay something to the voter to put you back. What is the benefit?” he asked.
He added that voters would have sufficient time to assess a government’s performance before the final year of the proposed five-year cycle.
Mr Kufuor stressed that his support for the proposal was informed by his experience as president and was not motivated by a desire to extend his own time in office.
“I believe in the two terms, but four years for a developing young country like ours, and I have gone through the experience, so I spoke from practical experience,” he said.
He added that he first raised the issue during his final State of the Nation Address, insisting that his intention was to improve governance rather than prolong his presidency.
Position differs from NPP opposition
Mr Kufuor’s endorsement comes despite opposition to the proposal from his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Acknowledging the difference in positions, he said he remained entitled to his own view on the proposed constitutional change.
“Now I say five years. If for whatever reason my party (NPP) says no, that is their point of view,” he emphasised.
Constitutional review debate continues
The proposal forms part of Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review discussions and has yet to complete the necessary constitutional amendment process.
The debate centres on whether a longer presidential term would give successive governments enough time to implement policies and complete development projects before returning to voters for a renewed mandate.
Support for the proposal is grounded in the argument that a longer term could provide greater continuity in governance, while the wider constitutional process will determine whether the proposed change is adopted.
