ACCRA, Ghana – The Government of Ghana has approved key constitutional reform proposals, including extending the presidential term from four years to five years and lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years.
The announcement was made by Justice Minister Dominic Ayine, who said the government had accepted several recommendations submitted by a constitutional review commission established by President John Dramani Mahama to examine the country’s 1992 Constitution.
The commission, formed last year, was tasked with reviewing various constitutional provisions and recommending reforms aimed at strengthening governance and improving the effectiveness of state institutions.
According to Ayine, extending the presidential term will provide future administrations with more time to implement their development agendas.
He explained that a significant portion of a government’s first year is spent on the transition of power, while the final year is largely dominated by election-related activities.
“The first few months of every administration are devoted to the transfer of power, while the last year is largely consumed by the electoral process,” Ayine said.
The government also approved extending the tenure of Members of Parliament to align with the proposed new five-year presidential term.
The constitutional review commission had recommended reducing the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 30 years.
However, the government opted for a compromise, approving a new minimum age of 35 years instead of 30.
If the proposal is eventually adopted, only Ghanaian citizens aged 35 years and above will be eligible to contest the presidency.
The government has also endorsed a proposal to move presidential elections to the first week of November, creating a longer transition period before the presidential inauguration, which is constitutionally scheduled for January 7.
Officials say the change is intended to provide adequate time for resolving any electoral disputes and ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
A new committee is expected to be established to draft two constitutional amendment bills, with the process scheduled for completion by October 2026.
However, the proposed extension of the presidential term will require approval through a national referendum, expected to be held in 2027.
Under Ghana’s constitutional requirements, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, and 75 percent of those who vote must support the amendment for it to take effect.
If approved, the reforms would represent one of the most significant constitutional changes in Ghana since the adoption of the 1992 Constitution, with the government arguing that the amendments are intended to improve governance, strengthen political stability, and enhance policy continuity.