Ghana Backs Five-Year Presidential Term, Lowers Minimum Age to 35

Ghana's government has finalized plans to extend the presidential term to five years and lower the minimum eligibility age to 35. These proposed changes, which have been under consideration for some time, are set to reshape the West African nation's political landscape. Ghana is recognized as a leading gold and cocoa producer and has maintained a stable democratic system since 1992.

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The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years.

The proposals stem from a committee's report, tasked by President John Dramani Mahama to review the constitution. The committee submitted its findings on Thursday. "The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years," Justice Minister Dominic Ayine informed journalists.

The committee also recommended a corresponding increase in the tenure of lawmakers to align with the presidential term, preventing electoral gaps. While the committee suggested lowering the presidential candidate age to 30, the government opted for 35. The Constitution Review Committee argued that a four-year term leaves an administration with just over two years of effective governance, considering time for appointments and election cycles.

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a little over two years

They believe a five-year term could "strengthen democratic accountability" by providing governments with more time to implement their agendas. However, these constitutional amendments will necessitate a national referendum in 2027, requiring specific voter turnout and approval thresholds to be met for their enactment.

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strengthen democratic accountability