Prof Appiagyei-Atua backs five-year presidential term proposal
A senior law lecturer at the University of Ghana has backed calls to extend the country’s presidential term from four to five years. Professor Raymond Atuguba argued that the current term is too short for effective governance. His comments follow a recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to lengthen the presidency.
Prof Atuguba explained that a president loses valuable time due to election cycles. He estimated that nearly a year is spent campaigning before an election, with another year needed to settle into office. This leaves only half the term for meaningful policy work.
The academic also pointed to internal party processes as a further drain on a president’s time. He noted that appointing ministers, municipal officials, and institutional heads takes up additional months. These delays, he argued, weaken a government’s ability to deliver on its promises. In 2020, Prof Atuguba publicly supported the CRC’s proposal. He suggested that a five-year term should be part of wider reforms to improve governance and cut corruption. His latest remarks reinforce the need for constitutional changes to give presidents more time to implement policies.
The proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term remains under discussion. If adopted, the change would give leaders an extra year to focus on governance rather than elections. The CRC’s recommendation and Prof Atuguba’s support highlight ongoing debates about strengthening the country’s political system.
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