The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opposed the proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential tenure from four years to five, arguing that the existing term provides voters with a regular opportunity to assess the performance of elected governments.

The party’s position differs from both the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, and the government, which has accepted the proposed five-year presidential and parliamentary terms as part of the ongoing constitutional reform process.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Sulemana Tampuli Alhassan, said the NPP believes the four-year mandate should be maintained.

He said the shorter electoral cycle strengthens democratic accountability by ensuring that citizens do not have to wait an extended period before deciding whether an elected government deserves another mandate.

“The CRC recommended that the presidential term be extended from 4 to 5 years. Now, we have taken a different position from the position of government and the CRC. We do not support the extension, and we support the retention of the existing 4 years,” he said.

According to Mr Tampuli Alhassan, challenges associated with policy implementation, government transitions and the formation of administrations should not be addressed by lengthening presidential tenure.

Instead, he argued that such challenges should be tackled through greater efficiency and timely decision-making within the existing constitutional framework.

“Our justifications are that a four-year mandate promotes democratic accountability by allowing citizens to regularly assess the performance of a government and renew or withdraw their mandates,” he said.

He added that extending the presidential term could reduce the frequency with which governments are subjected to direct electoral accountability.

“Challenges relating to policy implementation, transition and the formation of government should be addressed through greater efficiency and timely decision-making, rather than by extension. Again, extending the term weakens the principle of regular accountability,” he stated.

The CRC’s recommendation forms part of a broader package of proposed constitutional reforms. The committee has recommended that the terms of both the President and Parliament be increased from four years to five years.

Government has subsequently accepted the proposal, arguing that the existing four-year electoral cycle leaves administrations with limited time to formulate, implement and assess policies.

The disagreement over presidential tenure is now part of the wider debate surrounding the proposed changes to the 1992 Constitution, with the NPP expected to present positions on several of the recommendations.

The party has also called for broader deliberation on the overall constitutional review process, including the establishment of a Consultative or Constituent Assembly to consider the proposed changes before they proceed through the formal amendment process.