Four years isn’t enough – Goodluck Jonathan calls for rethink of presidential term in Ghana and Nigeria

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has raised concerns about the four-year presidential term in Ghana and Nigeria. He believes this short tenure limits long-term national development and effective governance.

Jonathan spoke at the Executive Leadership Retreat in Ada, Ghana. He addressed ministers and senior government officials about the challenges leaders face in West Africa.

He noted that only Nigeria and Ghana have a four-year presidential term in Africa. Most other countries have five years for their presidents. “What can somebody do in four years?” he asked.

The former president pointed out that new leaders spend much of their first year adjusting to office demands. This leaves them with only two effective years to implement policies before election distractions begin.

“If you are a new person, you need about a year to adjust,” Jonathan explained. “You work for two years, then the next year is an election year.”

He concluded by stating that time to truly advance a country is very limited.