Ghana has approved a significant constitutional reform package that extends the presidential term from four to five years. Attorney General Dominic Ayine explained that the change aims to provide administrations with more time to govern, as early transition periods and election preparations currently limit effective governance.
Key Changes in the Reform Package
- Presidential and Parliamentary Terms: Both presidential and parliamentary terms will be extended to five years, aligning the legislative cycle with the executive.
- Two-Term Limit Maintained: The existing two-term limit for presidents remains unchanged.
- Minimum Age for Presidential Candidates: The age requirement will be lowered from 40 to 35 years to broaden eligibility.
- Election Timing: National elections will move from December to early November, allowing more time for transitions before the January 7 inauguration.
- Election Petitions: Challenges to presidential election results must be filed within 14 days and resolved by the Supreme Court within 30 days.
- Parliamentary Composition: Parliament will be capped at 300 members, adding 24 seats through proportional representation to include women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The reforms follow a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution initiated by President John Dramani Mahama. The review committee gathered input from over 21,500 people, experts, and organisations, resulting in 147 amendment proposals and 59 new constitutional provisions.
President Mahama, currently serving what the existing constitution defines as his second term, has overseen this process aimed at modernising Ghana’s governance framework to better meet contemporary challenges.
