Ghana Moves to Extend Presidential Term from Four to Five Years

(John Dramani Mahama. Photo Credit; Reuter)

As part of a larger constitutional reform process, Ghana's government has agreed in principle a proposal to extend the tenures of the president and Parliament from four to five years. 

President John Dramani Mahama appointed a committee in 2025 to evaluate the country's 1992 Constitution, which made the suggestion.

Announcing the decision on Thursday, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, explained that the extension is intended to give elected governments more time to implement their policies.

He noted that new administrations typically spend their early months settling into office, while their final year in power tends to be dominated by election-related activities.

The government also accepted, with some modifications, a committee's proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates.

Rather than reducing it from 40 to 30 years as recommended, the government instead proposed a new minimum age of 35 years.

In addition, presidential elections will now be held in the first week of November, creating a wider gap before the January 7 inauguration.

Ayine disclosed that a separate committee will be set up to draft two constitutional amendment bills, expected to be completed by October 2026.

The proposed amendment on presidential term limits will still need to go through the required legislative process before being put before Ghanaians in a national referendum in 2027.

For the referendum to be valid, at least 40 per cent of registered voters must take part, while a minimum of 75 per cent of those who vote must support the amendment for it to pass.