Ghana Backs Extending Presidential Term to Five Years, Lowering Age Limit to 35

Ghana’s government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five years and lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing constitutional review process.

Justice Minister Dominic Ayine announced the decision on Thursday, confirming that the government had accepted the recommendation of the Constitution Review Committee, which was established by President John Dramani Mahama last year to review the 1992 constitution. The committee submitted its final report to the president on Thursday.

Under the proposal, parliament’s term would also be increased to five years to align with the presidency. While the committee had recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates to 30, Ayine said the government would instead adopt 35.

The Constitution Review Committee argued that a four-year presidential cycle leaves an administration with “a little over two years” of effective governing time, as the first six months can be taken up by appointments and the final year by elections. It said a five-year term could also “strengthen democratic accountability” by giving governments more time to deliver.

The changes will require a national referendum in 2027, with strict voter turnout and approval thresholds. The government’s acceptance of the recommendations does not automatically amend the constitution, as the proposal must still pass through parliamentary processes before being put to a public vote.

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