The Constitutional Review Committee has recommended extending Ghana’s presidential term from four years to five years, arguing that the change would provide incoming governments with more time to implement policies effectively.
Chairman of the Committee, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, made this known while presenting the Committee’s report on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Prof. Prempeh emphasised that the proposal does not include any provision for a third term for presidents, stressing that there was neither public demand nor political support for such a change.
“We couldn’t find a place for a third term for the President,” he said, noting that even President John Dramani Mahama was opposed to it. The Committee, he added, intentionally steered clear of debates on term limits to focus on enhancing governance efficiency.
The recommendation was influenced by submissions from several eminent persons, including former presidents, who contended that four years is too short for meaningful governance.
Prof. Prempeh also pointed out that five years is emerging as a global standard for presidential tenures.
Additionally, the Committee highlighted how much of the current four-year term is consumed by administrative transitions and election campaigns.
“The claim was that the President spends about six months settling into office and nearly a year campaigning,” Prof. Prempeh explained.
To mitigate this, the proposed extension is paired with measures to regulate campaign periods, aimed at minimising prolonged political activities that distract from governance. The goal, according to the Chairman, is to allow governments sufficient time to deliver on their mandates without the constant pressure of elections.