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Increase presidential tenure of office – Kufuor

Ghana’s constitution currently allows an elected president to stay in office for four years after which he can seek re-election for a second term.

Former president Kufuor

Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has re-launched his call for the presidential tenure in the country to be increased to five or six years.

Ghana’s constitution currently allows an elected president to stay in office for four years after which he can seek re-election for a second term. Other African countries that practise similar system include Nigeria and Egypt. Most African countries have their presidents going for two 5 or 7-year terms.

Speaking at an International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISAPS) conference in Accra, Thursday Kufuor said the four-year term does not guarantee “any mark of development and transformation.”

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He argued that the current term limits leaders from executing their plans effectively. But for him, an increase in the term of office will allow for more developmental projects by the president.

He further explained that if the term is increased, the President can familiarise himself with the office in the first few years, and then roll out his plan in subsequent years with little or no pressure.

Ex-President Kufuor governed Ghana from 2001 – 2009. In his last address to parliament, he made a similar request arguing that “we simply copied from the American democracy.”

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He has therefore suggested to parliament to consider his proposal.

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