Ghana Moves to Rewrite Political Rules as Government Backs Five-Year Presidential Term, New Age Requirement

Ghana’s political landscape is set for a major shake-up after the government endorsed far-reaching constitutional reforms that would extend the presidential term from four to five years and lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35.

The proposed changes, which could significantly alter the country’s democratic framework, followed the submission of recommendations by the Constitution Review Committee established by President John Dramani Mahama.

Announcing the government’s position on Thursday, Ghana’s Justice Minister, Dominic Ayine, said the administration had accepted the committee’s recommendation to increase the tenure of the president from four years to five years.

“The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years,” Ayine told journalists.

The move marks one of the most significant proposed constitutional changes since Ghana returned to democratic rule in 1992. The West African nation, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most stable democracies and a leading producer of gold and cocoa, has maintained a four-year presidential cycle for more than three decades.

Beyond the presidency, the committee also proposed extending the tenure of members of parliament to align with the president’s new term length. The recommendation is aimed at preventing electoral scheduling gaps and ensuring greater synchronisation between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Another key aspect of the reform package focuses on presidential eligibility. While the committee initially suggested reducing the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 30 years, the government opted for a more moderate approach, backing a new threshold of 35 years instead.

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According to the Constitution Review Committee, the existing four-year cycle often limits the effectiveness of elected administrations. The panel argued that a significant portion of a president’s first year is consumed by appointments and government formation, while the final year is largely dominated by election-related activities.

As a result, the committee noted that governments are frequently left with “a little over two years” of uninterrupted governance to implement policies and deliver on campaign promises.

The committee further argued that extending the tenure to five years would provide administrations with more time to execute development programmes, strengthen policy continuity and improve democratic accountability by allowing voters to better assess government performance.

Despite the government’s endorsement, the proposed reforms are not yet law. Constitutional amendments of this nature must be approved through a national referendum, which is expected to take place in 2027.

The referendum will be subject to stringent voter turnout and approval requirements, setting the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched constitutional debates in Ghana’s recent history.

If approved by voters, the reforms would usher in a new era for Ghana’s democracy, reshaping the rules governing presidential elections and political participation for generations to come.