Ghana Proposes Extending Presidential Term to Five Years

The Government of Ghana has unveiled a White Paper proposing significant reforms to the 1992 Constitution, including the extension of the presidential and parliamentary terms from four years to five years. Announced on Thursday, the moves follow a review by a committee established by President John Dramani Mahama to strengthen national governance.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine stated that the longer cycle provides a more realistic timeframe for implementing and assessing government policy. He noted that current four-year cycles are effectively shortened by early transition matters and the election campaigns that consume the final year of an administration.

The government also accepted a proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35. While the Constitutional Review Committee had suggested a minimum age of 30, the government modified this requirement to 35. To align these changes, the government proposed holding presidential elections during the first week of November to ensure a sufficient gap before the January 7 inauguration.

These amendments must now undergo a national referendum in 2027. For the reforms to be adopted, the process requires a minimum voter turnout of 40 percent and an approval rating of at least 75 percent.