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The Government of Ghana has accepted several major recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee, paving the way for what could become the most significant amendments to the 1992 Constitution in decades.
The proposals, outlined in the government’s White Paper and presented by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine, cover key areas of governance, including the Presidency, Parliament, the Judiciary, political parties, local government and Ghana’s electoral system.
If approved through the constitutional amendment process, the reforms could reshape the country’s democratic and governance structures.
Here are the 10 key constitutional reform proposals accepted by the government.
1. Extend Presidential and Parliamentary Terms to Five Years
The government has approved a proposal to increase the tenure of the President from four years to five years.
Parliament’s term will also be extended to five years to match the presidential tenure.
The aim is to give governments more time to formulate, implement and evaluate policies while reducing disruptions caused by frequent elections.
2. Lower the Minimum Age for Presidential Candidates
The minimum age required to contest for the presidency will be reduced from 40 years to 35 years.
Although the Constitutional Review Committee proposed 30 years, the government opted for 35 years to encourage greater youth participation while maintaining leadership maturity.
3. Reform Presidential Election Timelines
The government has endorsed changes to Ghana’s presidential election timetable, including:
- Presidential elections to be held during the first week of November.
- Election petitions to be filed within 14 days after the declaration of results.
- The Supreme Court to determine presidential election petitions within 30 days.
- The Electoral Commission to provide all relevant election data to parties and the courts during disputes.
4. End Tax Exemptions for the President
The President will be required to pay taxes on:
- Salary
- Allowances
- Applicable indirect taxes on goods and services
However, presidential pensions and retirement gratuities will remain tax-exempt.
5. Cap the Number of Ministers
The Constitution will limit the number of ministers appointed by any President to 60.
The President will still be permitted to appoint ministers from either Parliament or outside Parliament.
6. Limit the Size of Parliament
The maximum size of Parliament will be capped at 300 Members of Parliament.
The current 276 constituency seats will remain, while 24 additional seats will be introduced through proportional representation for:
- Women
- Persons with disabilities
- Young people
7. Expand Opportunities for Dual Citizens
The government has accepted proposals allowing Ghanaians by birth with dual citizenship to:
- Contest parliamentary elections without renouncing their second citizenship.
- Hold constitutional offices, including:
- Chief Justice
- Speaker of Parliament
- Chairperson of the Electoral Commission
The restriction will continue to apply to the offices of President and Vice-President.
8. Reform the Judiciary
Key judicial reforms include:
- A single 10-year non-renewable term for the Chief Justice, subject to the mandatory retirement age.
- A constitutional cap of 19 Supreme Court Justices, comprising:
- The Chief Justice
- Eighteen other Supreme Court Justices
9. Strengthen Political Party Democracy
The government has endorsed reforms requiring political parties to provide members in good standing with equal voting rights when selecting presidential and parliamentary candidates.
A Political Parties Regulatory Commission will also be established to oversee:
- Political party registration
- Campaign financing
- The proposed Democracy Fund
- Regulation of political parties
10. Elect Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs)
The government has accepted the proposal to elect all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
Under the proposed model:
- The President will nominate five candidates, including at least two women.
- After vetting, three candidates, including at least one woman, will contest in an election.
- The winning candidate will become the MMDCE.
What Happens Next?
Although the government has accepted these recommendations, they do not automatically become law.
Many of the proposals require constitutional amendments, meaning they must go through the procedures outlined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, including parliamentary approval and, where applicable, a national referendum before they can take effect.
