The government has endorsed major constitutional reforms that could reshape Ghana's electoral calendar, backing a proposal to extend the presidential term from four years to five while proposing to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.
The proposals form part of the government's response to recommendations submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee and are expected to feature in upcoming constitutional amendment bills.
Announcing the government's position, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine said the reforms are intended to strengthen governance and broaden participation in the country's democratic process.
Five-year term gains government support
Among the most significant recommendations accepted is an amendment to Article 66(1) of the 1992 Constitution, extending the President's tenure from four to five years.
Government has also accepted, in principle, a corresponding amendment to Article 113 to increase Parliament's term from four years to five, ensuring both institutions remain aligned.
According to the government's response, the existing four-year cycle places considerable pressure on administrations, leaving limited time to implement long-term policies before political campaigns begin.
"A longer term provides a more realistic timeframe for the formulation, implementation, and assessment of government policy," the document stated.
It noted that new administrations spend their early months settling into office, while the final year is often dominated by election-related activities, narrowing the window available for governance.
Officials believe a five-year mandate would provide both the President and Members of Parliament with greater opportunity to fulfil their electoral promises and pursue development programmes with more continuity.
Younger presidential candidates could qualify
The government has also agreed, in principle, to lower the constitutional age requirement for presidential candidates, though not to the extent recommended by the Constitutional Review Committee.
The committee proposed reducing the minimum age from 40 to 30 years. Government, however, wants the threshold set at 35.
Dr Ayine said the existing constitutional requirement unnecessarily excludes capable citizens from contesting for the nation's highest office based solely on age.
"The Government proposes, however, that the minimum age be reduced to 35 rather than 30," the response explained, arguing that the revised threshold strikes a balance between expanding democratic participation and ensuring presidential candidates possess sufficient maturity and experience.
The document further notes that "a citizen who is old enough to serve as a Member of Parliament should not be constitutionally barred from contesting for the Presidency on account of age alone."
Reform process moves forward
The proposals are part of a broader constitutional reform agenda being pursued by the Mahama administration following the Constitutional Review Committee's final report.
If approved through the constitutional amendment process, the changes would represent some of the most consequential reforms to Ghana's governance framework since the 1992 Constitution came into force, affecting both the tenure of elected leaders and eligibility to contest the presidency.
READ ALSO: Court of Appeal Acquits Sedina Tamakloe, Overturns 10-year MASLOC Jail Sentence
