Ghana has officially begun the process of amending its Constitution to extend the presidential term from four years to five, marking one of the country’s most significant governance reforms in decades.
The proposal follows recommendations made by a constitutional review committee established in 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama to examine key areas of the 1992 Constitution.
According to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine, a five-year presidential tenure would provide elected governments with more time to implement policies and deliver meaningful development. He noted that new administrations often spend their first months settling into office, while the final year is largely dominated by election activities, leaving limited time for governance.
The proposed reforms also seek to extend the tenure of Parliament from four to five years, creating a uniform electoral cycle for both the executive and legislative branches.
Another major recommendation is to lower the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years, a move aimed at expanding opportunities for younger leaders to contest the country’s highest political office.
In addition, Ghana plans to move its presidential election to the first week of November, allowing a longer transition period before the inauguration scheduled for January 7.
The government has accepted the recommendations in principle and will establish a committee to draft the constitutional amendment bill. The legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament within the next three months before proceeding to a nationwide referendum in 2027.
Under Ghana’s constitutional provisions, amendments affecting presidential and parliamentary terms require approval by at least 75 percent of valid votes cast, with a minimum turnout of 50 percent of registered voters.If approved, the reforms would reshape Ghana’s political landscape and could influence constitutional debates across West Africa, where several countries continue to review governance structures to improve political stability and development.
