Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has questioned the relevance of extending Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the move will not necessarily improve governance or accelerate national development.
His comments follow the government’s acceptance of some recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), including proposals to amend aspects of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Obiri Boahen questioned the practical benefits of adding an extra year to the presidential mandate, arguing that the country’s focus should rather be on strengthening local governance systems.
“Sedina Tamakloe has been freed, and we are busily trying to review the Constitution to increase the presidential term limit to five years. What is the essence of this? Of what importance is it to us?” he asked.
He wondered what significant difference an additional year would make when governments have struggled to achieve major results within the existing four-year term.
“What are they even able to do within four years? How much more five years? What difference will that make?” he questioned.
According to him, Ghana’s development challenges cannot be addressed simply by extending the tenure of presidents, but through stronger institutions and effective governance at the local level.
Nana Obiri Boahen called for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), arguing that allowing citizens to choose their local leaders would improve accountability and empower local assemblies.
“We want to elect MMDCEs. We will choose three people to contest. We must empower the assemblies to work on their own,” he stated.
He stressed that leadership at the local level should be based on competence and the ability to serve communities rather than political party affiliation.
Citing an example from the Bono Region, he said some individuals continue to win local elections because of their credibility and commitment to their communities despite their political backgrounds.
“When you go to Sunyani-Domase, there is this assembly woman who is an NDC Women’s Organiser, but even though the area is an NPP stronghold, she always wins an election because she is good material,” he said.
He also cited the current Sunyani West Municipal Chief Executive as an example of how effective local leadership can transcend party lines.
“Even the current Sunyani West MCE, even if NPP wins power and he contests as MCE, everybody will vote for him because he is also a good material,” he added.
The former NPP executive argued that Ghana’s development agenda must begin from communities rather than being driven solely by decisions made at the national level.
“We don’t develop the country from the top but from the bottom to the top,” Nana Obiri Boahen stated.
He called for constitutional reforms that prioritise stronger local governance and greater participation of citizens in choosing leaders who directly impact their communities.
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