Ghana’s government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four years to five years and reduce the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.
The proposal is part of recommendations from a committee that reviewed Ghana’s 1992 Constitution following a process initiated by President John Mahama’s administration.
However, the proposed changes will not apply to Mahama, the government has clarified. Minister of Government Communications Felix Ofosu said on Thursday that the amendment would only affect future presidents.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dominic Ayine announced that the government had approved the recommendations, explaining that the longer term would allow future administrations more time to implement policies and development programmes.
Ayine said the current four-year electoral cycle often limits the ability of governments to complete major projects because transition activities and election preparations take up significant periods at the start and end of each administration.
Under the proposal, parliamentary terms would also be extended to align with the new five-year presidential tenure.
The government has further accepted a recommendation to move presidential elections to the first week of November. The change is aimed at creating a longer transition period between elections and the January 7 inauguration.
The constitutional amendment bill must pass through several legislative stages before it can be presented to voters in a national referendum scheduled for 2027.
For the amendment to take effect, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, and at least 75 percent of those who vote must approve the changes.
