Ghana Proposes Sweeping Constitutional Reforms Including Five-Year Terms and Ministerial Caps

The government of President John Mahama has signaled its commitment to a landmark overhaul of Ghana’s governance structure by accepting several major recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC). Aimed at addressing public discontent and preventing 'democratic backsliding,' the proposed reforms include extending the presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years and imposing a strict cap of 60 ministers and 300 Members of Parliament. Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced that these changes seek to enhance governance efficiency and respond to long-standing criticisms regarding the cost and frequency of the current four-year electoral cycle.

Beyond term limits and executive size, the reforms introduce significant shifts in local governance and human rights. Under the new proposals, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would be directly elected by citizens rather than appointed by the President, a move intended to foster greater local accountability. The government has also endorsed the abolition of the death penalty, the establishment of a fixed tenure for the Chief Justice, and the formal separation of the roles of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Eligibility for political office is also set to expand, with proposals to lower the presidential candidacy age from 40 to 35 and allow dual citizens by birth to contest parliamentary seats.

This move toward constitutional strengthening in Ghana mirrors a broader regional trend in West Africa, as seen in Sierra Leone where President Julius Maada Bio is currently pushing for his own suite of democratic reforms. President Bio has urged his Parliament to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2025, which seeks to introduce a 30% quota for women in political nominations and implement a proportional representation system. While Bio's reforms face some opposition regarding electoral thresholds, both the Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean initiatives reflect an urgent push by national leaders to modernize democratic institutions in the face of rising public pessimism.

For Ghana, the implementation of these reforms will require extensive public engagement and a national referendum for entrenched clauses. Critics and proponents alike note that the success of these changes hinges on restoring faith in the electoral process and the integrity of state institutions. As the Mahama administration prepares for the next steps, the focus remains on ensuring that these constitutional 'cures' effectively address the root causes of corruption and political elitism that have historically hindered the nation's democratic progress.