Ghana’s government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term of office from four years to five years and lower the minimum age for presidential...
Ghana’s government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term of office from four years to five years and lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35 years as part of planned constitutional reforms. The proposals were announced after the Constitution Review Committee submitted its final report to John Dramani Mahama.
The announcement was made on Thursday following the presentation of the committee’s report. The proposed reforms form part of a broader review of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which has governed the country’s democratic system for more than three decades.
Speaking to journalists, Justice Minister Dominic Ayine said the government had accepted the recommendation to increase the presidential term from four years to five years.
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“The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years,” Ayine said.
The government also approved a recommendation to align the tenure of Members of Parliament with that of the presidency by extending the parliamentary term from four years to five years.
The Constitution Review Committee had recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 years to 30 years. However, the government decided instead to reduce the minimum age requirement to 35 years.
According to the committee, a four-year presidential term gives governments limited time to effectively implement their development programmes. The report noted that the first six months of a new administration are often spent appointing officials and establishing government structures.
The committee also observed that the final year of a government’s term is largely dedicated to election preparations, reducing the time available for implementing policies and programmes. It said a five-year term would provide administrations with a longer period to deliver on their commitments while strengthening democratic accountability through improved service delivery.
Despite the government’s acceptance of the recommendations, the proposed constitutional changes cannot take effect immediately. The amendments must first be approved through a national referendum in accordance with Ghana’s constitutional requirements.
Under the Constitution, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, while at least 75 percent of those who vote must support the proposed amendments for them to be adopted.
The government is expected to prepare two constitutional amendment bills by October ahead of a planned national referendum in 2027. If approved by voters, the reforms will amend key provisions of Ghana’s Constitution relating to the presidency, Parliament and eligibility requirements for presidential candidates.
