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In a significant development, Ghana’s Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) has proposed extending the presidential term from four to five years, highlighting the country’s increasingly unique position in West Africa’s political landscape.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, presented its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on December 22, 2025, recommending several amendments to the 1992 Constitution. Among the most debated proposals is the extension of the presidential term.
During a Joy News interview on December 25, Prof. Prempeh explained that the recommendation is based on emerging regional and global trends. “We also gathered evidence that actually Ghana is among a dwindling number of countries that still do four years, especially new democracies and in Africa,” he stated, noting that most African nations have adopted five-year terms.
The CRC chairman specifically pointed out that “Nigeria and Ghana are the only ones who do four” in the West African region, adding that the committee was guided by comparative best practices when making their recommendation.
A comprehensive review of presidential terms across West Africa confirms Prof. Prempeh’s assertion. Among the 16 countries in the region, only Ghana and Nigeria maintain four-year presidential terms, while the majority have moved to longer durations.
Several West African nations have made significant constitutional amendments in recent years. Benin and Guinea have established seven-year presidential terms, with Benin’s change taking effect after the 2026 elections. Liberia operates on a six-year term system, with the current president having been sworn in earlier in 2024.
Most countries in the region, including Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, have settled on five-year terms. Togo has shifted to a parliamentary system where the President of the Council of Ministers serves a renewable six-year term.
It’s worth noting that some countries in the region are currently under military rule following coups, including Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. Prior to their democratic suspensions, these nations also operated on terms longer than four years.
The Anglophone countries of West Africa, excluding Ghana and Nigeria, have all adopted longer presidential terms: Liberia (six years), Sierra Leone (five years), and The Gambia (five years).
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution has remained unchanged for over three decades, making this proposal particularly significant. The CRC argues that a five-year term would allow presidents more time to implement policies effectively while aligning Ghana with regional norms.
Political analysts note that this recommendation comes at a critical time as Ghana prepares for its next presidential election in 2028. The proposal has sparked debates among citizens, with supporters arguing that longer terms could enhance policy continuity and governance stability, while critics express concerns about potential power concentration.
The proposed constitutional amendment would require substantial legislative support and possibly a referendum before implementation. If adopted, it would represent one of the most significant changes to Ghana’s governance structure since the return to democratic rule in 1992.
The CRC’s other recommendations are also under review, but the presidential term extension has emerged as the most discussed aspect of the comprehensive constitutional reform package.
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14 Comments
The divergence between Ghana/Nigeria and their West African neighbors on presidential term lengths is noteworthy. I wonder if this reflects deeper political or institutional differences, or if it’s more a matter of historical precedent and inertia.
It will be important to follow how this issue progresses in Ghana, both in terms of the constitutional review process and public discourse around the merits of a longer presidential term.
Interesting to see the trends in presidential term lengths across West Africa. It’s noteworthy that Ghana and Nigeria stand out with 4-year terms while their neighbors have shifted to 5-year terms. Curious to hear the reasoning behind the proposed changes in Ghana.
The article highlights some valid points about regional trends and comparative best practices. It will be worth following how the proposed constitutional amendment progresses in Ghana.
This is an intriguing development in West African politics. I’m curious to understand the reasoning behind the proposed change in Ghana, and whether it’s viewed as a positive or concerning trend by regional experts and citizens.
The article provides a good overview of the regional landscape, but more details on the specific rationale and debate around the proposed 5-year term in Ghana would be helpful to fully assess the implications.
Interesting to see the trends in presidential term lengths across West Africa. It’s noteworthy that Ghana and Nigeria stand out with 4-year terms while their neighbors have shifted to 5-year terms. Curious to hear the reasoning behind the proposed changes in Ghana.
The article highlights some valid points about regional trends and comparative best practices. It will be worth following how the proposed constitutional amendment progresses in Ghana.
This is an intriguing development in West African politics. I’m curious to understand the reasoning behind the proposed change in Ghana, and whether it’s viewed as a positive or concerning trend by regional experts and citizens.
Agreed, more context on the debate and rationale around this proposed amendment would be helpful to fully assess the implications. The regional trends are noteworthy, but the local dynamics in Ghana will be key.
The divergence between Ghana/Nigeria and their West African neighbors on presidential term lengths is noteworthy. I wonder if this reflects deeper political or institutional differences, or if it’s more a matter of historical precedent and inertia.
It will be important to follow how this issue progresses in Ghana, both in terms of the constitutional review process and public discourse around the merits of a longer presidential term.
The move to extend presidential terms from 4 to 5 years in Ghana seems to be part of a broader shift in West Africa. I wonder what the pros and cons are of the longer term length, and how it may impact governance and accountability.
Agreed, the regional context is important. It will be interesting to see if other West African nations follow suit or if Ghana and Nigeria maintain their unique 4-year presidential terms.