Ghana’s government has accepted a recommendation to extend the presidential term from four to five years, the West African country’s justice minister said on Thursday.
President John Dramani Mahama set up a committee last year that reviewed the 1992 constitution and made recommendations, some of which were accepted by the government.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine said the term of Parliament will also be extended to match the new presidential term.
The presidential term extension was designed to give administrations more time to govern, the government said.
Changes to presidential candidacy and elections
“The early months of every administration are consumed by transition matters, and the final year is largely consumed by elections,” Ayine said.
The government accepted in principle the committee’s proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates, currently 40, but modified the recommended threshold to 35 years rather than the 30 proposed by the committee.
The government also accepted that presidential elections will be held in the first week of November to ensure an adequate gap between polls and the January 7 inauguration.
Upcoming amendment bills and referendum
Another committee will be established to draft two amendment bills expected to be ready by October 2026.
The bill covering term limits will have to go through a number of steps before going to a national referendum in 2027.
For the referendum to pass, at least 40% of registered voters must turn out, with at least 75% voting in favour.
- Ghana's government has agreed to extend the presidential term from four to five years.
- The parliamentary term will also be extended to align with the new presidential term.
- The minimum age for presidential candidates is lowered from 40 to 35 years.
- Presidential elections will be held in the first week of November, ahead of the January 7 inauguration.
- Amendment bills will be drafted by October 2026 and a referendum on term limits is planned for 2027, requiring 40% voter turnout and 75% approval.
Ghana's government has accepted a recommendation to extend the presidential term from four to five years, the West African country's justice minister said on
President John Dramani Mahama set up a committee last year that reviewed the 1992 constitution and made recommendations, some of which were accepted by the government.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine said the term of Parliament will also be extended to match the new presidential term.
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For the referendum to pass, at least 40% of registered voters must turn out, with at least 75% voting in favour.
