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Ghana's government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term to five years. The decision was announced on Thursday, July 30, by the Justice Minister, Dominic Ayine, following the submission of the final report by the Constitution Review Committee. The committee was established by President John Dramani Mahama last year to review the constitution. According to Ayine, the government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years. The committee also suggested that parliament's term should be increased to five years to align with the presidency.
Although the committee recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates to 30, Ayine said the government would instead adopt 35. The committee said a four-year presidential cycle can leave an administration with “a little over two years” of effective governing time, as the first six months can be taken up by appointments and the final year by elections. It said a five-year term could also “strengthen democratic accountability” by giving governments more time to deliver.
A national referendum in 2027 will be required to pass the changes, with strict voter turnout and approval thresholds. This means that the new terms will not take effect unless a majority of voters approve the changes in the referendum. If the changes are approved, Ghana will join a select few countries in Africa with longer presidential terms.
The Constitution Review Committee was established by President John Dramani Mahama last year to review the constitution. The committee was led by a panel of experts, including Justice Sophia Akuffo, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana. The committee was tasked with examining the constitution and making recommendations for amendments to strengthen democratic governance in Ghana.
The extension of the presidential term has sparked debate over accountability and effective governance. Some have argued that a five-year term will give governments more time to deliver on their promises, while others have expressed concerns that it will lead to a lack of accountability. The decision will be put to a national referendum in 2027, giving citizens the opportunity to decide whether to approve the changes.
The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years. According to the committee, a five-year term will give governments more time to deliver on their promises and strengthen democratic accountability. However, others have expressed concerns that it will lead to a lack of accountability and a longer period between elections.
Justice Dominic Ayine, the Justice Minister, said that the government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years. He added that the committee also suggested that parliament's term should be increased to five years to align with the presidency. The committee recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates to 30, but the government has decided to adopt 35 instead.