Ghana has approved a proposal to extend the presidential term from four years to five, but the reform will not benefit President John Mahama, as it is not expected to take effect during his current tenure.
The recommendation emerged from a comprehensive review of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution carried out by a constitutional review committee established by President Mahama last year.
In addition to proposing a longer presidential tenure, the committee also recommended lowering the minimum age required to contest the presidency from 40 to 35 years, a move aimed at encouraging greater youth participation in the country’s highest political office.
The proposed reforms are part of a broader effort to modernise Ghana’s constitutional framework and strengthen democratic governance. However, the recommendations must still undergo the necessary legal and constitutional processes before they can be implemented.
If eventually adopted into law, future presidential elections in Ghana will be conducted under the new five-year tenure, while younger candidates aged 35 and above will become eligible to seek the country’s highest office.
The constitutional review has sparked public debate, with supporters describing the reforms as timely and progressive, while critics argue that any changes to the country’s governance structure should be subjected to extensive public consultation and due constitutional process.
