Ghana’s government has unveiled plans to amend the country’s 1992 Constitution, proposing to extend the presidential term from four years to five as part of a broader package of constitutional reforms.
The proposed changes, championed by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, would also extend the term of Parliament from four to five years, aligning it with the presidency.
According to the government, the longer term is intended to give elected administrations more time to implement policies and deliver on their mandates before facing voters.
Another key proposal seeks to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years, potentially widening eligibility for younger leaders to contest the country’s highest office.
The government plans to present two constitutional amendment bills by October 2026, paving the way for a national referendum expected in 2027.
Under Ghana’s constitutional requirements, the referendum will only succeed if at least 40% of registered voters participate and at least 75% of those voting approve the proposed amendments.
If approved, the reforms would mark one of the most significant constitutional changes in Ghana since the adoption of the 1992 Constitution, with implications for the country’s electoral cycle and political landscape.
