Five-year presidential term won’t apply to Mahama – Prof. H Prempeh

The Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has dismissed claims that the proposed extension of the presidential term from four to five years would benefit President John Dramani Mahama.

He explained that the recommendation, even if adopted into law, cannot apply to the President’s current mandate.

In an interview with JoyNews on Thursday, December 25, 2025, which was keenly followed by Today.com.gh, Prof. Prempeh stressed that President Mahama’s mandate is governed strictly by the provisions of the 1992 Constitution under which he was elected, making any retroactive application of constitutional amendments impossible.

“It is not possible. He was elected under a constitution that gives him only four years. He cannot change his term history; it is not possible,” he said.

According to Prof. Prempeh, the committee was mindful of potential public apprehension surrounding the proposal and therefore took steps early on to clarify its intent. He explained that the recommended changes were designed to take effect only after the expiration of the President’s current term of office.

“In fact, in an earlier version of this report, for the avoidance of doubt, we had stated that this will take effect after this [Mahama’s] current term,” he added.

The Constitution Review Committee formally submitted its report to President Mahama on Monday, December 22, 2025. At the presentation, Prof. Prempeh explained that the proposal to extend the presidential term to five years is part of a wider package of reforms aimed at deepening good governance, ensuring policy continuity, and improving the overall effectiveness of government programmes.

The recommendations are expected to undergo extensive public consultations and the required constitutional procedures before any decision is taken on their implementation.

Background on the Committee

President Mahama set up the Constitution Review Committee in January 2025 to assess the 1992 Constitution and build on earlier review efforts. The committee is chaired by Prof. Prempeh, who is also a Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).

Its membership includes Justice Sophia Adinyira, a retired Supreme Court Justice and member of the UN Appeals Tribunal; Charlotte Osei, lawyer and former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission; and Prof. Kwame Karikari, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Other members are Dr. Godwin Djokoto, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Law School; Ibrahim Tanko Amadu, governance and development management expert; Dr. Esi Ansah, Executive Director of Ashesi University’s Centre for Leadership; and Dr. Rainer Akumperigeya, lawyer and oil and gas consultant, who serves as Secretary.

The committee was tasked with identifying gaps and implementation challenges arising from earlier constitutional review exercises, including recommendations from the 2010 Constitution Review Commission and the 2023 Constitution Review Consultative Committee.