Ex-President Kufuor backs 5-year presidential term despite NPP opposition

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has backed a proposal to extend the country’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the additional year would give governments more time to implement their policies and development projects.

In an exclusive interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah, Mr Kufuor said the current four-year term was insufficient for governments to deliver on their programmes while also preparing for another election.

He said a five-year term would provide a more practical timeframe for governments to execute their plans, with the fifth year accommodating campaign activities ahead of the next election.

"Four years is too short for a young nation that is trying to develop," he said.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would allow a government to devote four years to its development agenda before the final year is dominated by electioneering.

"... fourth year is an election year, election year anywhere in the world is a mud year, everybody is going around promising and talking, and then the election comes, and you have to pay something to the voter to put you back, what is the benefit?. Fourth year, if the government is good, the people will know, and then the fifth year is election year, allowing the politicians," he noted.

"I believe in the two terms (a system that allows an individual to become president for two separate terms), but four years for a developing young country like ours, and I have gone through the experience, so I spoke from practical experience, and it was my last state of the nation address that I brought it up, I didn't say it to lengthen my stay," he added.

Mr Kufuor’s endorsement comes despite opposition to the proposal from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of which he is a member.

"Now I say five years, if for whatever reason my party (NPP) says no, that is their point of view," he emphasised.

The proposal forms part of the ongoing constitutional review process and is yet to receive parliamentary approval and presidential assent before it can become law.

The debate over the presidential term has centred on whether extending the period in office would give successive governments sufficient time to implement policies and complete development projects before seeking a renewed mandate from voters.