CRC rejects 5 year presidential term
Christian Council says four-year term enough for Ghanaian presidents
The Christian Council of Ghana has said it will not back a plan to change the presidential term from four to five years. It argues that four years is enough for any elected government to deliver its promised programmes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Council explained that extending the term would not improve governance. Instead, it called for stronger continuity between successive governments so that policies can be built on rather than abandoned.
The Council’s view was shared at a seminar organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs. Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo, who leads the Africa Methodist Council, told participants that the church believes good governance depends on consistent policy implementation, not on a longer election cycle. He added that a four‑year period is sufficient if governments stay focused on continuity.
The government has already accepted the recommendation to extend the term, saying an extra year would give more time for planning and assessment. However, the Council says this does not solve the core issue of how policies are carried forward.
The Council also urged the strengthening of the National Development Planning Commission so that it can coordinate, monitor and evaluate national development projects effectively.
The debate over the presidential term length is part of a wider constitutional review process that is still being discussed by various stakeholders in Ghana.
