Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, says Ghana’s four-year presidential term has not significantly aided the country’s development, given its current challenges and development deficits.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, December 23, the Member of Parliament for Tamale North shared his views in response to proposals by the Constitutional Review Committee to extend the presidential term from four years to five years.
He argued that the short electoral cycle often constrains governments, particularly when ambitious long-term development plans are involved.
“I agree with the thinking that the four-year period has not helped us that much, and it is because of our level of development and the deficit that we have,” he said.
According to him, the pressure of elections tends to disrupt policy continuity, especially when a government is pursuing major reforms.
Mr Suhuyini noted that visionary leadership can be undermined by the current electoral cycle, describing it as a limitation rather than an advantage in some cases.
“Sometimes when you’re lucky to have a political party or a government or a president with a very big vision, the electoral cycle turns out to be a limitation,” he stated.
The comments come after the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, proposed extending the presidential term to five years to enhance policy continuity and governance stability.
While the full details of the proposal are yet to be published, the committee maintains that the recommendation is aimed at strengthening institutions and improving efficiency, without weakening democratic accountability.