The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected a proposal to extend Ghana’s presidential term beyond the current four-year mandate, while backing the proposed shift of presidential elections from December to November.
The party’s position was announced at an event where the NPP presented its views on the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission.
Announcing the party’s position on the constitutional review commissions’ report, member of the party’s committee set up to review the report, Hon. Hassan Tampuli, said the NPP sees no compelling reason to alter the existing four-year presidential term.
According to him, maintaining the four-year mandate would promote democratic accountability by giving citizens regular opportunities to assess the performance of governments and decide whether to renew their mandate.
“Four-year presidential term gives voters regular power to renew or withdraw the mandate of a President.”
He said, the NPP, however, supports the recommendation for presidential elections to be held in the first week of November, a proposal the government has also accepted.
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The party argues that moving the elections from December to November would give an incoming administration additional time to prepare for an orderly transition and assume office.
“The proposed rescheduling of presidential elections from December to November will give an incoming administration additional time for an orderly transition and assumption of office.”
The NPP has also proposed that the November election be held on a Tuesday, explaining that the arrangement could better accommodate citizens whose religious observances fall on particular days of the week.
Tampuli further argued that challenges associated with policy implementation, government formation and the transition process should be addressed through efficiency and timely decision-making rather than by extending the tenure of elected governments.
“Challenges relating to policy implementation, transition and government formation should be addressed through efficiency and timely decision-making, not by extending tenure.”
He concluded that, the party therefore maintains that while the election date can be adjusted to facilitate a smoother transition, the existing four-year presidential mandate should remain unchanged.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Vincent Kwofie.
