Ghana has too many presidential talents to extend tenure to five years – Kpebu

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu argues that the country has many capable people who deserve opportunities to lead, cautioning against keeping one person in power for an extended period.

Private legal practitioner Martin Luther Kpebu has questioned the rationale behind the proposed extension of Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years, arguing that the country has many talented individuals capable of occupying the highest office.

He believes Ghana should create opportunities for different people to lead rather than extend the period one individual remains in power.

Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Mr Kpebu said Ghanaians generally have strong opinions about leadership and do not appear to favour being governed by one person for more than eight years.

He likened the country’s political culture to its football culture, where almost everyone considers themselves qualified to coach the national team.

“Ghana is a land of 34 million presidents, just like we say in football; Ghana is a land of about 34 million coaches,” he said.

According to him, the abundance of people who believe they can lead the country reflects the availability of potential presidential talents who should be given opportunities to serve.

Questions prolonged presidential tenure

Mr Kpebu maintained that Ghana should be cautious about increasing the number of years a president can remain in office, stressing that the country should not be moving towards prolonged leadership by one individual.

He cited the United Kingdom as an example, pointing to the turnover of prime ministers as a model Ghana could consider in ensuring that leaders who fail to deliver can be replaced.

“Look at the UK, in 10 years, they’ve had seven Prime Ministers. So the moment a PM comes he’s not getting it right, they check him out. So that’s what we should be striving for. Not increasing the number of years for one man,” he stated.

Debate over five-year term proposal

His comments come amid discussions over a Constitutional Review Committee recommendation to extend Ghana’s presidential term from four years to five.

The committee has argued that a longer term could provide presidents with more time to implement policies and pursue long-term development programmes.

Mr Kpebu has previously opposed the proposal, raising concerns about corruption and the implications of extending presidential tenure.

The proposal remains part of the wider national debate on constitutional reform, governance and the appropriate duration of presidential office.