Govt backs biggest constitutional shake-up in three decades: Five-year presidency, dual-citizen MPs proposed
The government has backed sweeping constitutional reforms that would reshape Ghana's political system, including a single five-year presidential term, lifting the ban on dual citizens becoming MPs and creating a separate Justice Minister.
Ghana's government has endorsed one of the most far-reaching constitutional reform packages since the 1992 Constitution came into force, backing proposals that would introduce a single five-year presidential term, allow dual citizens to become Members of Parliament and fundamentally reshape the country's governance system.
Presenting the government's position on the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendations at the Jubilee House on Thursday July 30, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr Dominic Ayine said the reforms were intended to move Ghana "from electoral democracy to developmental democracy".
The reform package adopts 206 proposed constitutional changes, comprising 147 amendments and 59 entirely new provisions submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee earlier this year.
President to serve one five-year term
Among the most significant proposals is replacing Ghana's current two four-year presidential terms with a single five-year term.
Under the proposal, Parliament would also sit for five years.
The government argues that four-year terms leave administrations with too little time to implement policies, as the first months are spent settling into office while the final year is dominated by election campaigning.
The minimum age to contest the presidency would also fall from 40 to 35 years, instead of the 30 years originally recommended by the Constitutional Review Committee.
Dual citizens could become MPs
The government has also accepted proposals to remove one of Ghana's longstanding constitutional restrictions by allowing citizens who hold dual nationality to contest parliamentary elections.
If approved, dual citizens would also be eligible to occupy several high public offices currently barred to them, including Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
The only exceptions would remain the offices of President and Vice-President.
Attorney General's role to be split
Another major reform would separate the Attorney General's Office from the Ministry of Justice.
Under the proposal, the Attorney General would no longer be a cabinet minister but would continue serving as the government's chief legal adviser and head of public prosecutions.
A separate Minister of Justice would oversee the justice sector, a move the government says would strengthen institutional independence.
Changes to Parliament and the judiciary
The government has proposed capping Parliament at 300 members.
Under the plan, 276 MPs would continue to be elected from constituencies, while 24 seats would be filled through proportional representation for women, young people and persons with disabilities.
The proposals also recommend limiting the Supreme Court to 19 justices and introducing a single non-renewable 10-year term for the Chief Justice, subject to the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The number of ministers would be capped at 60, and ministers would no longer be required to come from Parliament.
President to pay tax
The government has also accepted proposals requiring the President to pay tax on salary, allowances and applicable direct taxes.
However, it rejected recommendations to tax presidential pensions and retirement benefits.
New human rights law planned
Rather than reopening Ghana's entrenched constitutional rights provisions through multiple referendums, the government intends to introduce a comprehensive Human Rights Act.
The proposed legislation would expand protections covering health, housing, food, the environment, women, children, older persons, young people and persons with disabilities, while giving effect to Ghana's international human rights obligations.
The government also supports abolishing the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment.
All district chief executives to be elected
The government has gone beyond the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendations by backing the election of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.
It has also accepted proposals to establish an Independent Public Emoluments Commission to determine the salaries and benefits of Article 71 office holders, replacing the current arrangement in which a committee appointed by the President makes those recommendations.
Referendum required
The reforms will be introduced through two Constitutional Amendment Bills.
Changes affecting non-entrenched provisions will require parliamentary approval, while amendments to entrenched provisions must be endorsed through a national referendum.
The government expects both bills to be ready by October and intends to hold the referendum alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections to reduce costs.