Reactions As Kufuor Refuses To Side With NPP On Five-Year Presidential Term

According to a report by JoyNews on Facebook, former President John Agyekum Kufuor has thrown his weight behind a proposal to change Ghana’s presidential term from four years to five, despite opposition from his own party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The report has triggered a wave of reactions among social media users, reflecting the sharp divisions that often accompany debates on constitutional reform in Ghana.

A significant number of commentators argued that Mr. Kufuor’s position should not come as a surprise. They recalled that the former president made a similar proposal when he left office in 2008, suggesting that his stance has remained consistent over the years. Others noted that he had wanted to implement the idea during his own time in government, which in their view shows that his current position is principled rather than politically motivated.

Another section of the public maintained that opinions on the length of a presidential term carry more weight when they come from those who have held the office. In their view, former presidents understand the demands of governance, including the time required to design, implement and complete national programmes. They therefore urged critics of the proposal to give due consideration to the experience of such leaders.

Some commentators took a more critical view of the NPP’s opposition. They questioned the party’s record on national development issues and recalled its decision to boycott the consultative assembly that drafted the 1992 Constitution. In their assessment, this history raises questions about the consistency of the party’s stance on major constitutional matters.

Meanwhile, others challenged opponents of the proposal on the grounds that many of them have never governed the country.

The reactions underline the public interest in the debate over presidential term limits. As discussions continue, the divergence between Mr. Kufuor and the leadership of his party is likely to keep the issue firmly on the national agenda, with Ghanaians weighing the potential benefits of a longer term against concerns about accountability and democratic checks.

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