Ghana Proposes Five-Year Presidential Terms and Lower Candidate Age Limits

The government of Ghana has announced its support for a constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term from four to five years. Attorney General Dominic Ayine stated that the change is intended to give administrations more time to implement long-term policies, noting that the first year of a term is often consumed by transition matters while the final year is dominated by campaigning. The proposal would also extend the term of Parliament to match the new executive cycle.

In addition to the term extension, the government accepted recommendations to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years. The administration also agreed to move future presidential elections to the first week of November to ensure a sufficient transition period before the January 7 inauguration date. These reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize Ghana's democratic framework and improve governance efficiency.

To become law, the proposed changes must pass a national referendum. This requires a minimum turnout of 40% among registered voters, with at least 75% of those casting ballots voting in favor of the amendments. Critics and opposition groups are expected to scrutinize the timing of these changes, though the government maintains that the reforms are necessary for the country's political stability and development.