Five Year Presidential Term: A Dissent

I woke up this morning (March 28,2006) and saw the banner headline on Ghanaweb: "Kuffour to seek a five year term".

I didn't know what to make of it but I was nevertheless shocked, perplexed and to put it bluntly, outraged. How can a president and a party that profess to claim the mantle of the so called "Danquah/Busia" tradition, even think of floating such an idea? This is perhaps an indication that we have some wolves in sheep clothing within the NPP government masquerading as democrats when in fact they may not? Democratic dispensation calls for the ultimate respect for the rule of law and more importantly, the supreme law of the country, called the constitution. I was surprised when the presidential spokesman, kwabena Agyepong, indicated that Mr. kufour wanted a five year term because the four year term was too short. Well, well, well, Mr. Agyapong, please let the President know that he knew the term of office of the president was four years when he took the oath of office to respect, obey, defend and abide by the constitution. Nobody in Ghana forced Mr. kufour to seek a second term, and if he feels that a four year term is not enough, it shows that the president did not have any concrete programs in mind when he sought the office in the first place. A four year presidential term has been long enough to allow many American presidents to leave legacies during their term of office. Mr. Kuffour can equally do the same if he can solve some of Ghana's seemingly unsolvable economic problems. Ghana's problems are not hard to see: degraded infrastructure, crumbling schools, lack of good drinking water, congestion at the ports, administrative hurdles coupled with useless rules and regulations within the public sector causing mayhem and inefficiency, choked gutters, filth in the big towns and cities, untenable land tenure system, broken health system( I am aware of the new health insurance scheme), and many other related and unrelated problems affecting the average Ghanaian, especially those living in the villages and rural areas. Sometimes, Ghana looks like a country without a government especially when one continues to encounter the same problems and difficulties in the economy and in many areas of human endeavor. When is a bold and coordinated attempt going to be made to address many of these problems in society to ease the pain and concerns of majority of Ghanaians who had very high hopes for the present adminstration? Probably problems are being resloved so slowly that some of us are impatient to see the final results.

I think the government has spoken too long about our problems but short on tangible results which would make a difference in peoples lives. As things stand in Ghana today, many of the so called results are invicible. The one result that most would agree to is an atmosphere for the exercise of free speech. I can bet that many Ghanaians are perhaps more interested in the improvement of their economic condition than the exercise of freedom of speech. People would cry and complain when they are hungry no matter what conditions they are in. Ghananians appreciate the concept of free speech but this alone is not enough to put food on the table,and take care of the family rent, etc, There lies the dilemma. The solution to this puzzle lies in economic empowerment so that individuals in society can improve their lot to feed their families and pay the rent, etc. Free speech alone does not cut it. The population is charged, anxious and ready for answers to their economic plight.

Any president who seeks extension of his term of office contrary to the provisions in the constitution needs to think twice and realize that such a request, formal or informal, undermines the spirit of the constitution. If a four year presidential term is not enough for President Kufour, how many more years would be enough for him to use to solve many of Ghana's problems? A leader with a vision can accomplish a lot in four years if the leader has a good and effective plan. Leadership entails leading by example and identifying with the plight of the masses many of whom are under economic distress from low wages to higher prices, and school fees for their children. I know that tuition was abolished in the primary schools last year. However, an extension to a form of fee free compulsory education up to the university level would be the most ideal. This way, the children of farmers, fishermen/women, petty traders, trotro drivers and those at the low end of the economic ladder can also have a chance of becoming somebody in Ghana. Let's attempt to level the playing field for all Ghanaian children.

In sum, this article is not a direct criticism of Mr. Kufour, our president. It is a condemnation of any president of the Republic of Ghana who dreams of one day changing the constitution to perpetuate his/her term of office contrary to the constitutional provisions. If a president can lead, inspire, unite the people, eschew corruption in the government, and at the same time use a coordinted plan to solve many of Ghana's problems, the president would realize that a splendid accomplishment can be achieved in an improbable four year term of office. To complain about the four year term of office as inadequate to have anything done is simply an attempt to obfuscate the issue. Any president with a good plan can do a lot for the country in four years. Ghanaians should never allow any president to extend his/her term of office beyond what is enshrined in the constitution. There are many in Ghana today who aspire of one day becoming president. Let's keep hope alive for everybody and not indirectly kill their dreams. An extension of the presidential term would be a signal and a call to some diabolical minds and nation wreckers to plan a coup. These demagogues would have an excuse no matter how flimsy it may be. I am afraid to say that there may be coup plotters within our mist who have no respect for any democratic dispensation. They thrive on fear and discord to disiminate false information to achieve their wicked goals. We should not give these unapologetic, selfish, disguised as democrats, and ever disgruntled people a chance to turn our country once again into anarchy. No more recklessness. A request to extent the term of office of any president of Ghana is tantamount to being reckless, and such a request should be denounced and condemned by the people of Ghana.

Long Live the Republic of GHANA!

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.