The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the proposed extension of Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the existing four-year mandate provides an important mechanism for democratic accountability.
Presenting the party’s position on proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Sulemana Tampuli Alhassan, said the NPP had taken a different position from both the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) and the government on the proposed extension.
“The CRC recommended that the presidential term be extended from four to five 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 four years,” he said.
According to Mr Tampuli, the four-year mandate allows citizens to regularly assess the performance of elected governments and either renew or withdraw their mandate.
He said challenges associated with policy implementation, transitions and the formation of government should instead be addressed through greater efficiency and timely decision-making rather than extending the tenure of the President.
The NPP also disagreed with the proposed changes to the timing of presidential elections, insisting that the electoral calendar should be consistent with the constitutional requirements.
The party further expressed support for removing age as a barrier to presidential eligibility, arguing that qualification for the highest political office should be based on a person’s ability rather than age.
Mr Tampuli cited Ghana’s youthful population in making the case, saying about 26.8 million Ghanaians are under 30, representing roughly 75 per cent of the population.
“The qualification to become president should not be based on the age of the person. It should be based on the ability,” he said.
“Because you can find a 30-year-old person who can move Ghanaians in a certain direction. Should the person be disqualified? No. So we take a position that age shouldn’t be a barrier.”
The government has accepted a proposal to reduce the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.
On Article 71 emoluments, the NPP rejected the proposal to establish a separate independent public emoluments commission to determine the salaries, allowances, facilities and privileges of public office holders.
Instead, the party proposed that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission be given the necessary constitutional and statutory mandate to perform the function.
“The creation of a separate independent public emoluments commission is going to impose an additional burden on the public purse,” Mr Tampuli said.
He argued that using the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would avoid institutional duplication, reduce costs and promote consistency in the administration of public-sector remuneration.
“Public sector remuneration should be governed by a fair, transparent, and consistent framework,” he said.
