The former Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, has supported proposals to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing it would improve governance delivery and reduce early election-related distractions.

Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Friday, May 15, 2026, she stated that a five-year term would give governments sufficient time to implement policies and fully execute development programmes before facing the electorate.

Her comments follow recommendations by the Constitutional Review Committee, which has proposed extending the presidential term to enhance governance efficiency. The proposal does not include any provision for a third term.

According to Hajia Hamdatu, Ghana’s evolving democratic system should not be rigidly compared to older democracies with different institutional setups. She argued that the current four-year cycle creates political pressure too early in a government's tenure, with succession politics beginning shortly after elections.

“If the president has five years, by the second year there will be less pressure from people positioning themselves to take over,” she said.

Call for Implementation of Past Reforms

Hajia Hamdatu commended ongoing constitutional review efforts but urged authorities to ensure that recommendations are implemented rather than abandoned, warning that inaction could undermine public trust.

She noted that previous constitutional review exercises had produced useful proposals that were never fully acted upon.

The former CPP chair further cautioned against bundling multiple constitutional proposals into a single referendum, arguing that it could confuse voters and weaken informed decision-making.

Beyond the debate on presidential tenure, she called for a clearer separation between the roles of Members of Parliament and ministers, insisting MPs should focus on legislative duties rather than executive development work.

She also advocated for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to improve accountability and local-level development outcomes.

Hajia Hamdatu concluded that a five-year presidential term would allow leaders to focus on key national priorities and deliver measurable results before seeking renewal from the electorate.