The Constitutional Review Committee has recommended extending Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the current duration is inadequate for effective governance.
Presenting the committee’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, December 22, the Chair, Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, said nationwide consultations showed broad consensus that a four-year term limits a president’s ability to fully design, implement and evaluate policies.
According to Prof. Prempeh, a significant portion of the four-year mandate is consumed by government formation, institutional restructuring and continuous political campaigning, leaving little time for sustained governance.
He noted that emerging global and regional practices, including within West Africa, increasingly favour five-year presidential terms.
The committee, however, firmly rejected calls for the introduction of a presidential third term. Prof. Prempeh stressed that the review found no public demand or policy justification for altering the existing two-term limit, which it recommends should remain intact.
To support the proposed five-year tenure, the committee also suggested the introduction of a clearly defined campaign period to curb perpetual electioneering and allow elected officials to focus on governance.
The recommendation is part of a broader package of constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic governance, improving accountability, and enhancing the overall efficiency of Ghana’s political system.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
