Ghana Government Backs Five-Year Presidential Term in Proposed Constitutional Reform
Ghana’s government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four years to five, marking a major development in the ongoing review of the country’s 1992 Constitution.
The decision was announced on Thursday by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine, following consideration of recommendations made by the Constitution Review Committee established by President John Dramani Mahama. The government has also agreed to extend Parliament’s tenure to five years to match the proposed presidential term.
According to the government, the longer term would give administrations more time to implement their policies and development programmes. Justice Minister Ayine said the early months of a government are often taken up by transition matters, while the final year is dominated by preparations for elections, leaving limited time for governing.
The government has also accepted, in principle, a recommendation to reduce the minimum age for presidential candidates. However, rather than lowering the threshold from 40 to 30 as proposed by the review committee, the government has settled on 35 as the new minimum age.
Another proposed change concerns the timing of presidential elections. The government supports holding presidential polls during the first week of November, creating a longer period between the election and the January 7 inauguration.
Officials say the additional time would provide a smoother transition between outgoing and incoming administrations and allow the electoral process to be completed well ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
The proposed reforms are not yet law. A new committee is expected to draft two constitutional amendment bills, with the bills expected to be ready by October 2026. The proposed changes to term limits will then have to go through several constitutional procedures before being put before voters in a national referendum planned for 2027.
For the referendum to approve the changes, at least 40% of registered voters must participate, and at least 75% of those who vote must support the proposal.
The review of Ghana’s Constitution has been one of the major governance initiatives undertaken by the Mahama administration. The Constitution Review Committee submitted its recommendations after examining possible changes to the country’s political and institutional framework. The Presidency formally published the committee’s report on July 30, 2026.
The proposed five-year presidential term is likely to generate significant public discussion, given its potential impact on Ghana’s electoral calendar and political system.
Supporters argue that longer terms could provide governments with more time to deliver policies and reduce the disruptions associated with frequent election cycles. Critics, however, may question whether extending political terms is necessary and how the changes could affect accountability.
The government’s position is now set, but the final decision will rest with Ghana’s constitutional process and, ultimately, voters in the proposed 2027 referendum.
