Participants at a recent governance forum organized by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) have proposed introducing a three-term limit for Members of Parliament (MPs). The call aims to foster political renewal, enhance accountability, and promote democratic development.
This recommendation stems from findings gathered during nationwide town hall meetings, and was presented at a forum in Accra led by Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD-Ghana. The discussions drew from citizen consultations conducted in 12 regions between February and March 2025, involving 1,331 participants, including civil society groups, traditional leaders, media representatives, youth organizations, and local government officials.
Debating Term Limits and Governance
While the majority supported limiting MPs to three terms, some participants opposed the idea, noting that experienced legislators contribute to the quality and efficiency of parliamentary work. Nonetheless, there was strong agreement on maintaining the current two-term limit for presidents, viewed as critical for electoral accountability and democratic integrity.
Campaign Reforms and Political Financing
On electoral reforms, participants broadly agreed on the need for a defined campaign period, suggesting durations between three and six months. Views were divided on whether the Electoral Commission should provide financial support to political parties. Supporters argued that subsidies could promote internal party democracy, while critics advocated for the complete removal of nomination fees to create a level playing field.
There were also calls for greater transparency in political financing, including public disclosure of donations and the imposition of reasonable spending limits on campaigns.
Inclusion and Fair Representation
Participants stressed the importance of inclusive representation at the local level, particularly for women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and marginalized communities. However, they emphasized that such representation should be merit-based to ensure meaningful participation rather than symbolic inclusion.
Local Government Elections
Many participants favored holding elections for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) concurrently with national elections, to reduce costs and increase voter turnout. Other recommendations included making these elections non-partisan and initiating pilot programs to test the viability of full implementation.
Tackling Corruption
The forum also examined the "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) campaign, aimed at retrieving assets lost through corruption. While the initiative was generally welcomed, concerns were raised over its effectiveness and potential for political misuse, especially since it lacks prosecutorial authority. Participants urged the government to strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions and evaluate their performance before launching new initiatives.
Government and International Reactions
Nana Oye Bampoe, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), lauded the report and encouraged its use as a reference for shaping government policy and conducting performance assessments. She emphasized the importance of citizen feedback in strengthening democratic governance.
Hooman Nouruzi, Head of the Political and Governance Team at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), praised the initiative for amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. He stressed that democracy is not limited to elections, but includes inclusive and participatory decision-making.
The CDD-Ghana forum marked a significant step toward deepening democratic governance in Ghana by ensuring that citizen perspectives inform key policy and electoral reforms. The insights gathered are expected to guide future strategies and enhance accountability across all levels of government.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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