NPP Rejects Proposal to Extend Presidential Term to Five Years

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected a proposal by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four years to five years.

The party has instead called for the existing four-year presidential mandate to be maintained, arguing that it provides citizens with a regular opportunity to assess the performance of elected governments.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Sulemana Tampuli Alhassan, said the NPP’s position differed from that of both the government and the CRC.

The CRC, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, recommended extending the presidential term to five years as part of its broader constitutional reform proposals. The committee submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama in December 2025.

Government subsequently accepted the proposal in July 2026, alongside a corresponding extension of Parliament’s tenure from four to five years.

The government has argued that the current four-year electoral cycle gives administrations limited time to formulate, implement and assess policies.

The NPP, however, maintains that extending the presidential term could reduce the frequency of democratic accountability.

Mr Tampuli Alhassan said the existing four-year mandate allows voters to regularly evaluate the performance of governments and decide whether to renew or withdraw their mandate.

He said challenges relating to policy implementation, transitions and government formation should instead be addressed through greater efficiency and timely decision-making.

According to him, retaining the four-year term would preserve what the party considers an important mechanism for ensuring regular accountability.