The Constitutional Review Committee has recommended a one-year extension to Ghana’s presidential term, transitioning from a four-year term to a five-year term.
The Committee posits that this extension will grant governments a more substantial period to govern effectively.
During the presentation of the Committee’s report on December 22, 2025, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Committee, emphasized that the proposal explicitly excludes the possibility of a third term for presidents.
He further noted that the Committee found no public demand or political will to support the introduction of a third term.
“We couldn’t find a place for a third term for the President,” Prof. Prempeh stated, also mentioning that President John Dramani Mahama himself was not in favor of it.
He stated that they chose to avoid reopening debates around term limits, focusing instead on enhancing governance efficiency.
He indicated that the proposal to extend the term from four to five years was championed by some eminent persons, including former presidents, who argued that four years is insufficient for meaningful governance.
“The claim was that the President spends about six months settling into office and nearly a year campaigning,” Prof. Prempeh added.
President John Dramani commended the committee for conducting a comprehensive and thoughtful review process.
He also assured them that their recommendations would undergo meticulous examination and rigorous constitutional and public scrutiny.
