Ghana backs five-year presidential term proposal

Ghana's government on Thursday accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four years to five years and lower the minimum age for candidates to 35.

Justice Minister Dominic Ayine told journalists that the government had accepted the recommendation on the presidential term. The Constitution Review Committee had recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates to 30, but Ayine said the government would adopt 35 instead.

The committee also said parliament's term should be increased to five years to align with the presidency.

President John Dramani Mahama established the committee last year to review the constitution. The committee submitted its final report to him on Thursday.

The committee said a four-year presidential cycle can leave an administration with "a little over two years" of effective governing time because early months can be taken up by appointments and the final year by elections. It said a five-year term could 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.