Ghana has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five years and lower the minimum age for contesting the presidency from 40 to 35.
The development follows a review of the country’s 1992 Constitution by a committee set up last year by President John Mahama. However, Minister for Government Communications Felix Ofosu clarified that the proposed amendment would not apply to incumbent Mahama.
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine said the extension would provide future administrations a more practical time frame for governance and policy implementation. The bill will require a national referendum in 2027 to take effect.
Key Points:
Mahama will not benefit from the term extension, preserving existing term limits for the incumbent.
A five-year term would give future presidents more time to implement policies before elections.
Lowering the presidential age from 40 to 35 could open leadership to younger candidates.
The referendum requires 40% voter turnout and 75% approval for the amendment to pass.
The constitutional change could reshape Ghana’s political landscape and succession planning.
The proposal now moves through legislative stages, with a national referendum in 2027 set to determine whether Ghana’s electoral cycle changes for future administrations.
