The Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), Prof. Isaac Boadi, has rejected proposals to extend Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, arguing that the move could weaken democratic accountability.
His comments follow the government’s acceptance of a recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to extend the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament from four years to five.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, said the proposal was aimed at giving governments more time to implement policies and development programmes, as the current four-year cycle was considered too short.
However, speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, July 31, Prof. Boadi said he disagreed with the extension of the presidential term, warning that it could leave the country stuck with an ineffective government for a longer period.
He said he had no concerns about proposals regarding the age limit for presidential candidates, arguing that competence should not be determined solely by age.
“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 said.
But on the proposed five-year tenure, Prof. Boadi was emphatic.
“My issue is the five-year term,” he stated.
He questioned the argument that extending the tenure would give governments enough time to focus on development, explaining that political activities in Ghana begin almost immediately after elections.
“The argument is that governments spend about six months appointing officials and another year preparing for elections, leaving only about two years for active administration. But in Ghana, right after elections, politics starts again. Election issues begin almost immediately,” he said.
Prof. Boadi also raised concerns about the consequences of extending the period citizens must wait before changing a government that fails to deliver.
“I don’t understand this whole discussion. 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.
He argued that Ghana’s governance challenges require stronger accountability systems rather than longer political terms.
The IERPP Executive Director further questioned whether the proposed amendment would require a national referendum, noting that some constitutional provisions can only be amended through approval by voters.
Dr Ayine has indicated that the government will establish an implementation committee to categorise the CRC recommendations based on the constitutional processes required for their adoption.
Prof. Boadi said legal experts would have to determine whether the proposed extension of the presidential and parliamentary terms falls under the entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
“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.
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