By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The proposal by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to extend Ghana’s presidential term to five years marks a pivotal shift in the nation’s democratic architecture. Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Chairman of the CRC and Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), argues that the current four-year cycle traps leaders in a perpetual state of transition and campaigning.
This adjustment aims to align Ghana with modern governance demands while ending the “eight-year tradition” that many feel has become an entitlement for sitting governments. However, a critical debate has erupted, with some citizens and civil society groups warning that longer terms could undermine democratic accountability.
Global and Regional Shifts in Tenure
Ghana remains part of a shrinking group of nations adhering to a four-year mandate. The United States serves as the primary architect of this model. Within Africa, Nigeria stands as the most prominent neighbor maintaining the four-year lockstep with Ghana. Other nations have moved toward longer durations to ensure policy stability. Liberia and Benin utilize six-year terms. Some regional peers have even adopted seven-year cycles.
Professor Prempeh notes that five years has become the global norm for presidential systems. “If the world is moving towards five, then maybe it makes sense,” he said. This transition reflects a desire to move away from the American model toward one that prioritizes administrative continuity. Conversely, some constitutional scholars argue that
Ghana’s four-year system is a vital safeguard that forces leaders to remain responsive to the electorate.
Performance and Accountability
The committee contends that a longer term actually increases pressure on the incumbent. Under the four-year system, voters often feel a president has not had enough time to fulfill promises. This often results in an automatic second term. A five-year term removes that excuse. “If you have not performed well in five years, Ghanaians are not really going to entertain the thought of letting you stay,” Prempeh stated.
Political analyst Dr. Isaac Mensah suggests this could lead to more “one-term” presidents. “Five years is a lifetime in politics if the economy is struggling,” Mensah said. However, public alarm is rising on social media. “Shorter terms enable us to remove underperforming leaders quickly,” noted @ghanaprince on X. Student activist Kwesi Appiah added, “If a leader is failing, five years is an eternity to wait for change.”
Political Parties Weigh the Shift
The success of the CRC’s recommendations hinges on political consensus. On December 23, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) established a joint committee led by Anyimadu-Antwi and Frank Davies to evaluate the report. National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye has urged members to refrain from public commentary until the review is complete. “The position of the Party will soon be made public,” Boakye assured. Observers note that without the support of the largest opposition party, the path to a constitutional referendum may become gridlocked.
The Implementation Roadmap
Following the formal submission of the report, President John Dramani Mahama announced plans to establish an implementation committee in early 2026. This team will include several members of the current CRC to ensure institutional memory and effective execution. Because changing the presidential term involves an entrenched provision of the 1992 Constitution, the process will ultimately require a national
referendum. “We are moving from recommendations to action,” President Mahama stated, emphasizing a non-partisan approach to the upcoming legal transition.
Administrative Efficiency and Broader Reforms
A significant portion of a four-year term is lost to the mechanics of power. A new president often spends six months making appointments and seeking approvals from the Council of State. By the third year, the focus shifts back to the campaign trail. This leaves roughly two years for actual governance.
The five-year proposal is part of a broader reform package aimed at a strict separation of powers. Other key recommendations include prohibiting Members of Parliament from serving as Ministers and capping the total number of ministers at 57. The committee suggests these changes will prevent the executive from dominating the legislature, allowing the government a more realistic window to focus on national development without constant political distractions.
Implementation and Neutrality
The committee clarified that these changes will not benefit the incumbent. President Mahama was elected under the four-year framework. He cannot retroactively extend his current mandate. “He cannot change his term history; it is not possible,” Prempeh emphasized.
This distinction is crucial for maintaining public trust in the review process. It ensures the proposal is viewed as a structural reform rather than a political maneuver. “The ultimate test,” says governance expert Dr. Araba Forson, “is whether this change strengthens the institution of the Presidency or merely delays the public’s right to choose.”
Fundamentally, the proposed five-year term places the future of the Fourth Republic in the hands of the people. Under Article 290 of the Constitution, such a change cannot be forced by a committee or a President alone; it requires at least 40 percent of registered voters to participate in a referendum, with 75 percent in favor. As Ghana approaches this crossroads, the final decision will not be made in the halls of power, but at the ballot box, ensuring that any new cycle of governance carries the explicit mandate of the sovereign citizen.
