CenPOA Proposes Amendment to Presidential Term Limits Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution

The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA) has formally petitioned the Constitutional Review Committee of Ghana to consider amending Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which currently limits a president to two terms in office.

In a proposal dated April 11, 2025, the advocacy group argues that the current provision places an “arbitrary ceiling” on the democratic rights of the Ghanaian people and undermines the electorate’s ability to retain competent leadership based on performance.

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CenPOA proposes that the article be revised to allow sitting or former presidents to seek re-election beyond two terms, provided they win through “a free, fair, and transparent electoral process in accordance with the laws of Ghana”. The group maintains that such an amendment would reflect democratic maturity, not authoritarian ambition.

“Democracy thrives on the principle that sovereignty resides in the people,” the proposal states. “Limiting presidential tenure by law—even when the electorate desires continuity—can undermine the full expression of democratic will. The Ghanaian voter should be trusted to determine who governs, for how long, and based on merit.”

The think tank cites the need for leadership continuity in critical sectors such as education, digital transformation, and industrialisation. According to CenPOA, strategic reforms in these areas are often interrupted by constitutional limitations that prevent a sitting president from continuing beyond two terms—even with public approval.

“Ghana’s socio-economic development agenda requires strategic leadership continuity,” the document states. “Arbitrary term limits can disrupt momentum and institutional memory.”

CenPOA also contends that the possibility of re-election beyond two terms would act as an incentive for performance, not a deterrent. “The possibility of re-election beyond two terms based on performance would motivate incumbents to deliver results and maintain public trust, thus increasing political accountability rather than diminishing it,” the group argues.

The proposal draws comparisons to other democracies, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, where no fixed term limits exist. “These countries rely on electoral processes and institutional checks and balances, which Ghana has developed over the past three decades,” CenPOA notes.

To address concerns about abuse of power, the proposal includes recommended safeguards, such as limiting the number of consecutive terms to three, reinforcing the autonomy of the Electoral Commission, enhancing parliamentary oversight, and protecting judicial independence.

“This proposal is not a call for indefinite tenure,” CenPOA concludes, “but a call for democratic maturity—a system where competent leadership is retained by the will of the people, not limited by an arbitrary ceiling.”