Mr Philip Obornie, Deputy Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Akan Constituency in the Oti Region, has called for the retention of Ghana’s current four-year, two-term presidential tenure.
He said the existing four-year term provided sufficient time for any President with a clear vision and commitment to national development to implement policies and fulfil campaign promises.
“There is no need to amend Article 66 (1) of the 1992 Constitution to extend the President’s term from four years to five years,” he stated.
Mr Obornie expressed these views in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the recent presentation of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) Report to President John Dramani Mahama.
The report, among other recommendations, proposed an amendment to Article 66 (1) to extend the presidential term from four to five years, renewable at once.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic experience over the years had demonstrated that the existing tenure ensured stability, predictability, and adequate time for effective policy implementation.
“The four-year term, renewed once by the people, gives the President enough opportunity to plan, implement, and evaluate development programmes,” he said.
Mr Obornie, who is also the Assemblyman for the Dodo-Amanfrom North Electoral Area in the Kadjebi District, noted that extending the presidential term could weaken democratic accountability and allow incompetent governments to continue impoverishing the citizenry.
He stressed that constitutional reforms should instead focus on strengthening state institutions, enhancing checks and balances, and ensuring value for money in governance.
The former Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Kadjebi District urged the CRC and other stakeholders to consider the views of grassroots representatives and the public in shaping reforms to further deepen Ghana’s democracy.
On the proposed amendment to Article 62 (b) to lower the minimum age qualification for presidential candidates, Mr Obornie said the current minimum age of 40 years should be maintained.
“Life begins at 40,” he said, adding that lowering the age to 30 years might mean the individual, though legally qualified, may not yet be mentally mature enough to govern effectively.
Mr Obornie also proposed that the tenure of Members of Parliament should be coterminous with that of the President to allow for the election of fresh leaders with new ideas.
“It should be four years, with the option of another four-year term, making a maximum of eight years, to give others the opportunity to serve,” he said.
He also suggested that general elections should be held in November instead of December to allow an incoming government adequate time to prepare before assuming office.
The Assemblyman reaffirmed his commitment to educating his constituents on constitutional matters and promoting active citizen participation in national discourse.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba
Pic attached
December 30, 2025
