Professor Kwaku Agyeman-Duah has warned that reducing Ghana’s presidential age requirement to 30 could destabilize the country if implemented without deeper reflection on leadership demands and democratic responsibility.
Appearing on JoyNews, the governance analyst cautioned that democracy must be balanced with wisdom and guidance, especially when national stability is at stake.
“We are going to have a chaotic situation in society. So, there’s always the need for people like you and I to provide the kind of guidance that will be needed to make sure, even if a majority of people are opposed to it, there’s a certain wisdom that will help us to move,” he stated.
Prof Agyeman-Duah emphasized that leadership at the highest level cannot be equated with electoral popularity or the ability to win parliamentary seats.
“Parliament, you are elected by your constituents, maybe 15,000 people, where there’s no real scrutiny of your character or your experience or anything. Being a parliamentarian is not the same as being the president of a sovereign nation,” he said.
He further pointed to the growing complexity of global affairs, arguing that a president must possess a deep understanding of international dynamics to effectively represent Ghana on the world stage.
“In international relations today, the changes that are occurring, what is the extent of your understanding in order to take this country to deal with the global context? So, there’s more to it,” Prof Agyeman-Duah added.
He maintained that constitutional reforms should prioritize national interest and stability over populist demands, warning that leadership without sufficient experience could expose the country to serious risks.
