Ghana: Govt Backs Five-Year Presidential Term

What the report says

Ghana’s government has endorsed a Constitutional Review Committee proposal to lengthen the presidential term from four years to five, with Parliament’s tenure to be adjusted in line with the change, Ghanaian Times reported via AllAfrica. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Akurutinga Ayine presented the government’s position at the Presidency in Accra, saying the longer cycle would give administrations more time to transition, implement programmes and evaluate results before another election season begins.

The proposed term change is part of a wider package of amendments to the 1992 Constitution that officials say will be put to a referendum next year, alongside District Assembly elections. The committee, chaired by Prof. Henry Kwesi Prempeh, submitted its report, “Transforming from Electoral Democracy to a Developmental Democracy,” to President John Dramani Mahama in February 2026, after which Cabinet considered the recommendations.

According to the report, the government also supports holding presidential elections in the first week of November, setting a 14-day deadline for presidential election petitions and requiring the Supreme Court to decide them within 30 days. It backs taxing the President’s salary and allowances, while keeping retirement gratuity and pension exempt. The government further proposes a single, non-renewable 10-year term for the Chief Justice, subject to retirement at 70, and a Supreme Court capped at 19 justices.

Other positions include setting the minimum presidential age at 35, limiting ministers to 60, capping Parliament at 300 members plus 24 proportional-representation seats for women, persons with disabilities and youth, and easing restrictions on dual citizens seeking parliamentary office. The proposals matter because they would reshape Ghana’s electoral calendar, executive tenure and key governance institutions if voters approve them.