The Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has expressed his opposition to a proposal to extend Ghana's presidential tenure from four years to five. He made this statement during the grand durbar marking the 2026 Asogli Te Za at the Ho Jubilee Park in the Volta Region. According to Togbe Afede, the experience of recent years provides sufficient reason for caution, as Ghanaians endured particularly difficult economic circumstances during 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Togbe Afede's opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment is rooted in his concern that a longer presidential mandate could leave citizens exposed to the consequences of poor governance for an unnecessarily prolonged period. He explained that while a longer presidential mandate might appear attractive under a competent administration, the consequences could become considerably more difficult for citizens when a government performs poorly. The Agbogbomefia emphasized that he could not imagine having to endure another year under the circumstances that prevailed during the difficult economic years.
The 2026 Asogli Te Za provided a platform for discussions extending beyond traditional and cultural matters to encompass national governance, economic conditions, and the broader direction of Ghana's development. Togbe Afede used the occasion to commend the government for measures he believes are helping to address some of the country's economic difficulties, particularly efforts aimed at reducing inflation and strengthening the fight against corruption. He expressed particular support for the Operation Recover All Loot initiative, commonly referred to as ORAL.
Togbe Afede praised the work of the Economic and Organised Crime Office and proposed changes intended to facilitate the speedy prosecution of corruption-related cases. He described corruption as one of the major obstacles standing between the country and meaningful national development. The traditional ruler urged citizens to support institutions responsible for investigating economic crimes, prosecuting offenders, and recovering proceeds of unlawful activity.
The Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, who represented President John Dramani Mahama at the celebration, highlighted road construction and rehabilitation projects being undertaken under the government's Big Push programme. Among the projects mentioned were the reconstruction of the Anyirawase, Ho and Titrinu road, the Ho Guinness Depot to Ho Airport Second Gate section, and the rehabilitation of the Ho to Kpetoe road. These infrastructure projects aim to improve transportation and connect farms, educational institutions, and communities to wider economic opportunities.
Dr Debrah commended Togbe Afede for his sustained emphasis on employment creation and the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, describing those priorities as important to the development of Asogli State and the country more broadly. The Minister responsible for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs outlined reforms intended to strengthen Ghana's chieftaincy institution and address disputes associated with succession.
For Togbe Afede, the question of presidential tenure remains particularly important because of its potential consequences for citizens. His position is that Ghana's existing four-year presidential mandate provides voters with a sufficiently regular opportunity to assess the performance of an administration and make a fresh electoral decision. Extending that period to five years, he argued, could mean that citizens would have to endure the effects of unsatisfactory governance for an additional year before being able to change direction through the ballot box.
Key points
- Togbe Afede XIV rejects proposal to extend Ghana's presidential term from four to five years.
- The Agbogbomefia cites concerns about potential poor governance and its impact on citizens.
- The traditional ruler commends government's efforts to address economic difficulties and fight corruption.
