‘I’m a firm believer in Presidential term limits’ – Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has expressed his strong support for the existence of term limits for Presidents, saying it enhances democracy and injects fresh ideas into governance.
Term limits, according to the President, promote “stability of democracies, especially the Presidential systems,” adding that, “speaking personally, I support the idea of term limits for Presidents, it prevents abuse of office and coup d’états”.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Ash FM on Saturday, as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana has been enjoying political stability since 1992 because the Ghanaian people have the opportunity, every four years, to use the ballot box to decide whether to change a government or maintain one in office.
“Using the ballot box has contributed to the stability of our country. People believe that if a leader is not doing well, they can vote against that leader in four years’ time. We don’t need a coup to change someone,” he said.
As a result of military takeovers in Guinea and Mali, President Akufo-Addo revealed that ECOWAS has started reviewing its protocols to strengthen the growth of democracy in the sub-region.
“To be honest, I am not speaking (now) as Chairman of ECOWAS, I support the idea… I feel ECOWAS protocols on good governance should outlaw the third-term mandates in any country. I feel strongly it is something that we ought to do to prevent what is happening in Guinea elsewhere,” he added.
When asked why the regional bloc looked on while Alpha Conde changed the constitution to extend his term, President Akufo-Addo said, “there are varied reasons for the military intervention, but there is no justification at any stage.”
He continued, “We are opposed, in principle, to any intervention of the military to the political life of a country. The population is capable of resolving its problems through the ballot box.”
President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, October 1, received a three-member delegation from the Guinean military junta, the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD), at Jubilee House, Accra.
The delegation, led by Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly, Second-in-Command of the CNRD, was at the seat of Ghana’s presidency to update President Akufo-Addo, the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, on the roadmap that has been put in place to ensure a smooth transition and return to democratic, constitutional rule in Guinea.
In his remarks, Colonel Sadiba Koulibaly told the President that 10 days of consultations with key stakeholders in Guinea had led to the drafting and adoption of a new Transition Charter, which reinforces the determination of the military leadership to return the country to civilian rule.
Regarding the conduct of presidential and legislative elections, within the six-month time frame stipulated by ECOWAS for the return to democratic rule, the delegation pleaded with the Authority to reconsider its decision, as Guinea does not have the capacity to do so within the time-frame indicated.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo re-emphasized ECOWAS’s unreserved condemnation of the coup d’état, as it was in contravention with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which demands that political power be attained through the ballot and not the bullet.
Taking cognisance of the newly adopted Transition Charter, the ECOWAS Chairperson intimated that it was a step in the right direction, and was encouraged by the decision of the CNRD to update regularly the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS on the evolution of the transition process.
Meanwhile, international media outlets have reported that Col Mamady Doumbouya has been sworn in as Guinea’s interim president after leading a coup which saw the overthrow of Alpha Condé.
The former French legionnaire, 41, becomes Africa’s second-youngest leader, after Mali’s Assimi Goïta, 38, who also staged a military takeover.
