Kufuor Says Four-Year Presidential Term Is Too Short, Calls for Five-Year Tenure in Ghana

Former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor has argued that a four-year presidential term is too short to achieve meaningful national development, suggesting that Ghana should consider extending the presidential term to five years.

Kufuor expressed the view that the current four-year period does not provide enough time for governments to implement their policies, complete major projects and deliver their development plans before facing another general election.

According to the former president, extending the presidential term to five years could give governments additional time to focus on long-term national priorities and carry out their programmes without the pressure of returning to the electorate after only four years.

The debate over the length of presidential terms is closely linked to questions about governance, continuity and accountability. Governments often introduce policies and development programmes that require several years to produce measurable results. However, a four-year term can place pressure on administrations to demonstrate progress within a relatively short period.

Supporters of a longer presidential term may argue that an additional year would allow governments to plan more effectively, complete infrastructure projects and implement economic and social policies. They may also contend that longer terms could reduce the disruption associated with frequent election campaigns.

However, the proposal also raises questions about democratic accountability. Regular elections give citizens the opportunity to assess the performance of elected leaders and decide whether they should remain in office. Any extension of presidential terms would therefore require careful consideration of its implications for Ghana’s democratic system.

Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the president serves a four-year term and may be elected for no more than two terms. Changing the duration of the presidential term would require constitutional reform through the appropriate legal process.

Kufuor, who served as Ghana’s president from 2001 to 2009, has experience leading the country under the existing four-year electoral framework. His comments have brought renewed attention to whether the current arrangement gives governments sufficient time to implement their development agendas.