President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, December 22, received the Constitutional Review Committee’s final report, which proposes far-reaching reforms to Ghana’s Constitution, including a leaner executive and stronger independent institutions.

The committee has proposed 10 recommendations, including: extension of electoral terms, separation of Parliament from the Executive, cap on the size of government, reform of state land administration, strengthening independent constitutional bodies, and abolition of the death penalty.

Others are: election of local government heads, citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, creation of an independent anti-corruption body, and parliamentary eligibility for dual citizens.

Extension of electoral terms: The Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has proposed a five-year presidential term, up from the current four-year term, to lower the cost and disruption of elections and give governments more time to implement policies.

Separation of Parliament from the Executive: Currently in Ghana, the law allows the President to appoint ministers even if they are serving as Members of Parliament (MPs). However, the Committee has raised concerns about this arrangement, stating that it creates conflicts of interest and weakens legislative oversight.

Cap on the size of government: The Committee has argued that the large number of ministers of state and their deputies creates inefficiency in the distribution of responsibilities. It has recommended that all future governments be limited to no more than 57 appointees.

Reform of state land administration: It has been suggested that the Lands Commission be mandated to oversee the administration of state lands in efforts to promote transparency and accountability.

Strengthening independent constitutional bodies: The Committee has also advocated that key constitutional bodies, including the Electoral Commission (EC), have appointments based on qualifications, experience, and competence, not political loyalty.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, has backed a recent proposal by the Constitutional Review Committee calling for an increase in Ghana’s presidential term in office.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, December 23, Alhassan Suhuyini argued that the four-year term given to Ghanaian presidents restricts the country’s development, as they are unable to deliver long-term policies and fully implement major development projects within the limited time frame.

“I agree with the thinking that the four-year period has not helped us that much, and it is because of our level of development and the deficit that we have,” he said.

The Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has proposed a five-year presidential term, up from the current four-year term, to lower the cost and disruption of elections and give governments more time to implement policies.

What does Ghana’s 1992 Constitution say about the presidential term?

Under the Constitution, a President may serve a maximum of two terms, with each term lasting four years.

Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution states as follows:

(1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President.

(2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President of Ghana for more than two terms.

(3) The office of President shall become vacant—(a) on the expiration of the period specified in clause (1) of this article; or(b) if the incumbent dies, resigns from office, or ceases to hold office under article 69 of this Constitution.

(4) The President may, by writing signed by him and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, resign from his office as President.

Additionally, the committee has also proposed that Members of Parliament (MPs) should stop doubling as ministers in government.

However, members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) insist that President Mahama intends to seek a third term. Although the President, in late August, reaffirmed his commitment to Ghana’s two-term presidential limit—making it clear that he has no intention of extending his tenure—the Minority contends that the incumbent government is plotting a dubious move to keep President Mahama in power beyond the next term.

During a bilateral meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as part of his three-day state visit, President Mahama dismissed allegations that his government is plotting to stay beyond the constitutional limit, reiterating that he will not be on the ballot in 2028.

After months of holding onto these claims, the Minority Caucus staged a protest in Parliament, chanting, “No Third Term, Mahama! We want peace, Mahama,” citing growing calls for a third term for the incumbent President from some members of the NDC, particularly on social media.

Reacting to the protest, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, described the Minority’s actions as political mischief intended to stir public fear and distract from substantive national issues.

Find below the final recommendations from the Committee:

Final-Recommendations-of-the-CRC_Presented-to-President-MahamaDownload