Former President Kufuor Backs Calls for Ghana to Extend Presidential Term from Four to Five Years

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has thrown his support behind calls for Ghana to extend the presidential term from four years to five years, reigniting discussions about the country’s political system and the time leaders need to deliver on their promises.

The former president’s position centres on the argument that a longer period in office could give presidents more time to implement policies, execute development projects and pursue long-term national programmes without facing another election after only four years.

Ghana currently operates a four-year presidential term under its constitutional system. This arrangement determines how long an elected president can remain in office before seeking a new mandate from voters. However, discussions about extending the period have continued to attract attention from political figures and observers who believe the existing timeframe may limit the implementation of major government policies.

Supporters of a five-year presidential term argue that some development programmes require substantial time to move from planning to implementation and produce measurable results. They believe an additional year could provide governments with more room to pursue infrastructure projects, economic reforms and other national priorities.

A longer presidential term could also reduce the frequency of presidential elections, potentially giving administrations more time to concentrate on governance between election cycles. However, any proposed extension would also raise questions about accountability, democratic participation and the need for elected leaders to remain responsive to the electorate.

Ghana’s four-year presidential term forms part of the country’s constitutional arrangements, meaning a change would require the appropriate constitutional processes rather than a simple political announcement. Any serious proposal would therefore need to be examined within the framework of the 1992 Constitution and the applicable amendment procedures.

The debate is likely to generate different opinions among Ghanaians. While some may welcome the possibility of giving presidents more time to fulfil their development plans, others may prefer to retain the current arrangement to ensure that voters have regular opportunities to assess their leaders’ performance.

Kufuor’s endorsement has added another prominent voice to the discussion, placing renewed attention on whether Ghana should maintain its four-year presidential cycle or consider a five-year term.

Ultimately, the issue goes beyond the length of a president’s tenure. It also raises important questions about how Ghana can balance effective governance, policy continuity and democratic accountability while ensuring that national development remains a priority.

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