Ayariga backs five-year presidential term, opposes age limit
NPP Deputy Organizer supports longer presidential terms but calls for lower age requirement and stricter eligibility for parliamentary candidates.
The Deputy Organizer of the NPP in the Navrongo Central Constituency, Dickson Ayariga, has expressed mixed views on the government’s white paper on the Constitutional Review Committee’s report, supporting the proposed extension of the presidential and parliamentary term from four to five years while opposing the proposed increase in the minimum age for presidential candidates and the eligibility of dual citizens by birth to contest parliamentary elections.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday, August 3, Ayariga said the recommendation to extend the tenure of the President and Members of Parliament was a step in the right direction because it would give elected leaders more time to implement development projects.
However, he cautioned that the proposal could also have negative consequences if the country elects leaders who fail to perform.
“The proposal is a call in the right direction because if we happen to have a good person, we will experience development. But we have to also consider that everything has its negative part and we also have the positive part.” He stated.
Ayariga explained that extending the tenure of a non-performing president or Member of Parliament by an additional year could prolong the suffering of citizens.
He said while five years may benefit effective leaders, it could also delay the opportunity for voters to remove leaders who fail to deliver on their mandate.
On the proposal to increase the minimum age for presidential candidates from the committee’s recommended 30 years to 35 years, Ayariga said he strongly disagreed with the government’s position.
He argued that several African leaders assumed office before the age of 30 and demonstrated that leadership is determined by competence rather than age.
“I still insist that the 30 years would have been appropriate. It would have opened participation for more vibrant and energetic youth to be part of our electoral processes.” He said.
He maintained that reducing the age threshold to 30 years would encourage greater youth participation in national leadership and provide more opportunities for qualified young people to contest the presidency.
Ayariga also opposed the proposal to allow Ghanaian dual citizens by birth to contest parliamentary elections.
He argued that individuals who have acquired the citizenship of another country should not automatically qualify to seek public office in Ghana, even if they were born in the country.
He called for broader national consultations on the remaining proposals in the Constitutional Review Committee’s report to ensure that any reforms adopted reflect the aspirations and long-term interests of Ghanaians.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
