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Ghana backs proposal to extend presidential term
3 hrs ago |
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Ghana's government has accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five years and lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35 as part of planned constitutional reforms.
The announcement was made on Thursday after the Constitution Review Committee submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama.
Ghana, one of Africa's leading producers of gold and cocoa, has maintained a stable democratic system since the adoption of its current Constitution in 1992.
Justice Minister Dominic Ayine said the government had accepted the recommendation to lengthen the presidential term.
"The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years," Ayine told journalists.
The government also endorsed a proposal to align Parliament's term with that of the presidency by extending legislators' tenure from four to five years.
Although the Constitution Review Committee recommended reducing the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 30 years, the government opted instead to lower it to 35.
In its report, the committee argued that a four-year presidential term leaves governments with limited time to effectively implement their programmes.
It noted that the first six months of an administration are often devoted to appointing officials and establishing government structures, while the final year is largely consumed by election preparations.
According to the committee, a five-year term would provide administrations with more time to implement policies and strengthen democratic accountability through improved service delivery.
The proposed constitutional amendments will, however, require approval through a national referendum before they can take effect.
Under Ghana's constitutional requirements, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, with a minimum of 75 percent of those voting required to approve the proposed changes.
The government is expected to prepare two constitutional amendment bills by October ahead of a planned national referendum in 2027.
The announcement was made on Thursday after the Constitution Review Committee submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama.
Ghana, one of Africa's leading producers of gold and cocoa, has maintained a stable democratic system since the adoption of its current Constitution in 1992.
Justice Minister Dominic Ayine said the government had accepted the recommendation to lengthen the presidential term.
"The government has accepted the recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years," Ayine told journalists.
The government also endorsed a proposal to align Parliament's term with that of the presidency by extending legislators' tenure from four to five years.
In its report, the committee argued that a four-year presidential term leaves governments with limited time to effectively implement their programmes.
It noted that the first six months of an administration are often devoted to appointing officials and establishing government structures, while the final year is largely consumed by election preparations.
According to the committee, a five-year term would provide administrations with more time to implement policies and strengthen democratic accountability through improved service delivery.
The proposed constitutional amendments will, however, require approval through a national referendum before they can take effect.
Under Ghana's constitutional requirements, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, with a minimum of 75 percent of those voting required to approve the proposed changes.
The government is expected to prepare two constitutional amendment bills by October ahead of a planned national referendum in 2027.
Source - AFP
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