Constitution Review Committee recommends five-year Presidential term

The Constitutional Review Committee has proposed an extension of Ghana’s presidential term of office from four years to five years.

The Committee cited the need to enhance governance stability, improve policy continuity, and strengthen institutional effectiveness.

Chairman of the Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, disclosed the proposal on Monday, December 22, when the committee formally presented its final report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House.

Also read: Constitutional reform process advances as Committee submits final report

While the full details behind the recommendation are yet to be made public, the committee indicated that the change forms part of broader efforts to refine Ghana’s democratic governance framework.

According to Prof. Prempeh, extending the presidential term would allow presidents adequate time to design, implement and consolidate long-term national policies, free from the constant pressure associated with short electoral cycles.

He stressed that the proposal is not intended to weaken democratic accountability, but rather to reinforce it through stronger institutions, improved checks and balances, and greater administrative efficiency.

President Mahama commended the committee for what he described as a thorough and reflective review process, assuring that the recommendations will be carefully studied and subjected to constitutional and public scrutiny.

The proposed extension forms part of several reforms contained in the committee’s report, which is expected to ignite a significant national conversation ahead of any potential constitutional amendment process.