CRC recommendations: Dr Asah-Asante calls for early preparation of gov’t team, rejects five-year term

Political scientist Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has advised Ghana's political parties to commence preparations for forming their governments while still in opposition, rejecting the proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five years. In an interview on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, Dr. Asah-Asante argued that parties in opposition should identify and choose the individuals to form their subsequent governments prior to assuming office.

He criticized the recommendation put forth by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, to extend both presidential and parliamentary terms to five years. Dr. Asah-Asante contended that a shorter term, such as four years, allows governments to settle in, implement policies, and prepare for the next election more effectively.

He maintained that if a political party is committed to establishing its government as quickly as possible, they should select the requisite personnel while in opposition.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has firmly rejected the CRC's suggestion to extend the presidential and parliamentary terms. The party's stance is supported by Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine, who argued that a longer term would provide more time for policy formulation and assessment. However, Dr. Asah-Asante and the NPP believe that a four-year mandate promotes regular accountability and that transition challenges should be tackled through efficiency and early preparation, rather than through an extended tenure.