Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP),Professor Isaac Boadi, has opposed proposals to extend Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years. He warned that such a move could weaken democratic accountability and entrench ineffective leadership.
The government recently accepted a recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to extend the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, explained that the proposal was intended to give governments more time to implement policies and development programmes, arguing that the current four-year cycle was too short.
Prof. Boadi, speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, disagreed with the extension. “My issue is the five-year term,” he said, stressing that the change could leave the country stuck with poor leadership for longer periods. He questioned the argument that governments need more time to focus on development, noting that political activities in Ghana begin almost immediately after elections. “Right after elections, politics starts again. Election issues begin almost immediately,” he explained.
He warned of the consequences of extending the period citizens must wait before changing a government that fails to deliver. “Imagine getting a president who is not performing, or a corrupt president, or someone sleeping on the job, and the country has to wait five years before voting again. We would be finished,” he cautioned.
While rejecting the five-year tenure, Prof. Boadi said he had no concerns about proposals regarding the age limit for presidential candidates. “If you look at the age limit, you can have someone who is grown and able to reason well. You can also have a young person who is very sharp and capable. So I don’t have an issue with the age bracket,” he stated.
He also raised questions about whether the proposed amendment would require a national referendum, noting that some constitutional provisions can only be changed with voter approval. “My understanding is that the proposals have been grouped into categories, including those that require a referendum. The lawyers will have to confirm whether this proposal is one of them,” he said.
Dr. Ayine has indicated that the government will establish an implementation committee to categorise the CRC recommendations based on the constitutional processes required for adoption.
