The Constitution Review Committee has proposed a significant change to Ghana’s system of governance, recommending an extension of the presidential term from four years to five years. The proposal, the Committee says, is aimed at giving governments adequate time to plan, implement, and complete major national policies without the constant pressure of election cycles.
The recommendation was presented to President John Mahama on Monday, December 22, as part of the Committee’s broader report on constitutional reforms. Speaking during the presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, explained that the proposal seeks to improve governance efficiency rather than alter the democratic foundations of the country.
According to Professor Prempeh, the Committee is proposing an amendment to Article 66(1) of the 1992 Constitution. “The Committee recommends an amendment to Article 66(1) to extend the length of a President’s term from four years to five years,” he stated.
He was quick to clarify concerns that may arise from the proposal, stressing that the recommendation does not introduce a third-term option for presidents. The existing two-term limit, he emphasised, remains unchanged under the proposal.
The Committee argues that a five-year term would reduce the frequency of elections, lower the cost associated with repeated electoral processes, and allow governments to focus more on long-term development rather than short-term political gains. In their view, the current four-year term often limits the ability of administrations to fully execute policies before the next election cycle begins.
