Legal practitioner and governance expert Austin Kwabena Brako‑Powers has called on Ghanaians to oppose any attempt to extend the presidential term from four years to five years. His warning comes amid discussions on constitutional reforms following the release of the Constitutional Review Committee’s final report.
Brako‑Powers argues that the current four‑year term ensures regular accountability and gives citizens the opportunity to assess government performance frequently. He believes that extending the term could weaken democratic oversight and reduce the ability of citizens to hold leaders accountable.
The Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has recommended several amendments to the 1992 Constitution, including increasing the presidential term to five years. Proponents say the additional year would give governments more time to plan and implement policies without the pressure of frequent elections.
Opponents, including Brako‑Powers, maintain that the current system already provides sufficient time for leaders to execute their agendas. They argue that a major change like this should be carefully debated and decided by the people, rather than imposed without broad consensus.
The discussion highlights the ongoing public engagement on constitutional reform in Ghana and underscores the importance of balancing effective governance with democratic accountability.
