Prof. Issac Boadi, Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Research (IERPP), has spoken out against proposals to extend Ghana's presidential term from four to five years. The proposal, announced by Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine, aims to give governments more time to implement policies and development programmes.
Constitutional Review Committee's Recommendation
The Constitutional Review Committee had recommended extending the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament from four years to five. According to the Attorney-General, this would allow governments to effectively implement their policies and development programmes without being constrained by the current four-year constitutional cycle.
Prof. Boadi's Concerns
However, Prof. Boadi disagrees with this proposal, citing concerns about democratic accountability and the potential for prolonged periods of poor governance. "If you get a president who is not performing, or a corrupt president, or someone sleeping on the job, and the country has to wait five years before voting again, we would be finished," he warned on JoyNews AM Show.
Uninterrupted Time for Governance?
Prof. Boadi challenged the argument that a five-year mandate would allow governments to focus on governance without the distraction of elections. In Ghana, he pointed out, politics begins almost immediately after general elections, making it difficult for governments to enjoy uninterrupted time. "The argument is that governments spend about six months appointing officials and another year preparing for elections, leaving only about two years for active administration. But in Ghana, right after elections, politics starts again," he said.
Referendum Requirements
Prof. Boadi also questioned whether the proposed amendment would require a national referendum. Entrenched provisions of the Constitution, he noted, must be approved by voters before they can be amended. "My understanding is that the proposals have been grouped into categories, including those that require a referendum. The lawyers will have to confirm whether this proposal is one of them," he said.
Focus on Accountability
Prof. Boadi emphasized that extending the presidential term is not the solution to Ghana's governance challenges. Instead, he argued that stronger accountability mechanisms should be the focus of constitutional reforms. "We should be focusing on how to make our leaders more accountable to the people, rather than giving them more time to stay in power," he said.
What's Next
The Attorney-General has indicated that an implementation committee will classify the proposals based on the constitutional processes required for their implementation. Legal experts will have to determine whether the proposed extension of the presidential term falls under entrenched provisions. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of Ghana's presidency hangs in the balance.
Source: Joy Online
