Citizens Platform rejects five-year presidential term, demands legal framework for constitutional reforms

The Citizens Platform, representing Ghanaian citizens, has opposed a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five years, as suggested by the Constitutional Review Committee. The group maintains that the existing four-year term should remain unchanged, contending that other proposed reforms could address concerns about term length.

Chairperson Prof. Akosua Keseboa Darkwah stated that a five-year term would be redundant if the electoral and transition period reforms are adopted. She also emphasized that the government should reconsider its stance on limiting presidential power and promoting inter-branch accountability, making a longer term unnecessary. The Citizens Platform is now demanding the enactment of a Constitutional Reform Implementation and Roadmap Act to establish a legal framework for carrying out agreed-upon reforms.

They argue that past reform attempts have shown the importance of such a framework to maintain momentum and prevent abandonment during government changes. The group insists that a legally backed roadmap would ensure continuity and that the reform process would survive changes in government. Additionally, they believe the proposed legislation would enhance public accountability by providing a clear basis for citizens to assess the government's progress in implementing the reforms.

The Citizens Platform stresses that constitutional reform must be treated as a collective national effort, not reliant on the political calendar or the priorities of any specific government. They urge stakeholders to establish safeguards to ensure the reforms are implemented transparently, predictably, and accountably.