Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has raised critical concerns about the limitations of the four-year presidential term practised in Ghana and Nigeria, describing it as inadequate for achieving meaningful and sustainable national development.
Speaking during the Executive Leadership Retreat held at the Aqua Safari Resort in Ada, Ghana, under the theme, Re-Imagining Leadership in a ‘Reset’ Ghana, Dr. Jonathan pointed out the structural constraints imposed by the brief tenure, which he argued leaves very little room for presidents to implement and consolidate long-term policy initiatives.
“In Africa, it is only Nigeria and Ghana that have a four-year tenure of presidency.
Most countries have five years. What can somebody do in four years?” he asked, questioning the efficiency of the model.
Dr. Jonathan elaborated that incoming presidents often require a significant adjustment period—roughly a year—to familiarize themselves with the demands of governance.
This is followed by just two years of effective work before the political climate becomes dominated by preparations for the next election.
“If you are a new person and you just came in, you need about a year before you will adjust. You work for two years, the next year is an election year. So time to really move your country is very limited,” he noted.
His remarks have sparked renewed debate around the structure of executive terms in Ghana and Nigeria, with political analysts and governance experts calling for broader dialogue on constitutional reforms that could enhance leadership continuity and policy stability.
The Executive Leadership Retreat, attended by senior government officials, policymakers, and thought leaders from across West Africa, has become a key platform for dialogue on governance, leadership, and sustainable development.
