Government accepts proposal to extend presidential term from four to five years – Attorney General

Ghana's government has accepted a proposal to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced. The move aims to provide a more realistic timeframe for governments to implement and assess policies.

Dr. Ayine explained that the current four-year term leaves insufficient time for effective governance. He noted that the initial months are often dedicated to transition activities, while the final year is dominated by election preparations. A five-year term, he argued, would allow administrations to formulate, implement, and evaluate policies more thoroughly.

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The current four year term leaves limited time for effective governance, as the early months of an administration are often spent on transition activities while the final year is dominated by election preparations.

The proposed extension would also apply to Parliament, aligning its term with the new presidential duration. This adjustment is part of the government's response to the final recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee.

However, Dr. Ayine clarified that the change, if approved through the constitutional amendment process, would only affect future Presidents and Parliament members, not the current administration. The announcement was made on July 30, 2026, at the Jubilee House in Accra during the Government Accountability Series.

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A five year term would provide a more realistic period for governments to formulate, implement and assess policies.