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The Executive Director of the African Institute of Strategic Studies, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, has rejected the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendation to extend the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament from four to five years, arguing that the proposal will not improve governance in Ghana.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr. Asante Otchere said the move fails to address the fundamental challenges confronting governance and could rather worsen citizens’ frustrations if elected leaders underperform.
The governance expert questioned the justification for extending the duration of political office, stating that an additional year would not translate into better delivery of government programmes.
He dismissed the argument that governments need more time to “settle in” before implementing policies, describing it as an excuse for poor preparation.
“People talk about the fact that when somebody comes into power, within a year and a half or two, he is now forming government, making appointments here and there,” he said.
“I believe that any party worth its salt should have had in mind those they want to appoint before they even win the election.”
According to him, political parties must be ready to govern from day one and should not depend on longer terms to make up for administrative delays.
Dr. Asante Otchere warned that extending the presidential term could trap citizens under ineffective leadership for longer periods.
He said Ghana’s current four-year electoral cycle provides a critical opportunity for voters to hold leaders accountable and change governments that fail to deliver.
“We should have the opportunity to decide in a quick space. If the government is bad, we should be able to kick them out. Extending the tenure, for me, is neither here nor there,” he stated.
He cautioned that keeping poorly performing leaders in office for an extra year could heighten public frustration and potentially lead to instability.
The Executive Director described the difference between a four-year and five-year term as “insignificant” and “more theoretical than practical.”
He argued that instead of debating tenure extensions, attention should be placed on strengthening institutions, improving the quality of leadership, and ensuring better policy implementation.
“There is no significant difference between four years and five years,” Dr. Asante Otchere said. “What matters is the competence of those we elect and the systems we put in place to ensure they deliver.”
The Constitutional Review Committee recently recommended extending the tenure of the President and MPs from four to five years as part of proposals to reform Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Proponents argue that a longer term will give governments more time to implement long-term development programmes without the distraction of early electioneering.
Critics, however, maintain that governance challenges in Ghana are rooted in weak institutions, lack of continuity in policies, and poor preparation by political parties — issues that a one-year extension will not resolve.
The proposal is expected to feature prominently in national discussions as government considers next steps on constitutional reforms.
