Move to Lower Presidential Age Limit Signals Confidence in Ghana’s Youth — TANKO

Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has welcomed government’s decision to accept in principle the recommendation to reduce the minimum age required to contest for the presidency from 40 to 35 years, describing the proposed constitutional amendment as a significant milestone in Ghana’s democratic evolution.

According to him, the proposed reform demonstrates growing national confidence in the leadership potential of young Ghanaians and represents an important shift from the long-held belief that age alone should determine a person’s suitability for high public office.

His comments follow government’s acceptance, in principle, of recommendations contained in the report of the Constitutional Review Committee chaired by constitutional law expert Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh. Among the key proposals endorsed by government is an amendment to Article 62(b) of the 1992 Constitution to lower the constitutional age requirement for presidential candidates from 40 years to 35 years.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple said the decision reflects the continuous growth of Ghana’s democracy and its ability to adapt to contemporary democratic values and changing societal expectations.

He argued that leadership should be determined by competence, integrity, sound judgment and commitment to national service rather than chronological age.

“The government’s acceptance of this recommendation demonstrates confidence in the capacity of young Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully to the highest levels of national leadership and governance,” he noted.

The Council of State member also reflected on his own political journey, recalling that he encountered similar age-related criticisms when he contested to represent the Volta Region on the Council of State.

According to him, some critics sought to portray him as too young to occupy a seat on the constitutional advisory body established under Article 89 of the 1992 Constitution.

He explained that there has long been a perception that membership of the Council of State is reserved for elderly personalities, with age often viewed as an informal qualification for appointment or election.

Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple said he entered the contest fully aware that his age could become a campaign issue but remained convinced that experience, competence and dedication to public service should outweigh assumptions based on age.

He indicated that his successful candidature challenged that perception and demonstrated that younger Ghanaians are equally capable of contributing meaningfully to institutions of national importance.

The Volta Region representative further expressed satisfaction that, following his election, more young people have shown interest in contesting Council of State elections across the country.

He described the development as evidence that democratic progress often begins when individuals question entrenched assumptions and inspire others to pursue opportunities previously considered unattainable.

Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple maintained that the ongoing constitutional review presents Ghana with an opportunity to redefine political leadership by creating greater opportunities for younger citizens to participate directly in governance.

He questioned whether Ghana’s democracy should merely encourage young people to vote, campaign and participate in political activism, or whether it should also entrust them with the responsibility of occupying the nation’s highest political offices.

In his view, the latter represents the true spirit of democratic inclusion.

He was, however, quick to clarify that lowering the presidential age qualification should not be interpreted as an automatic endorsement of every 35-year-old aspiring to become President.

Rather, he said, the proposed amendment seeks to remove age as an unnecessary constitutional barrier, allowing qualified citizens to compete based on merit and the confidence of the electorate.

Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple observed that with Ghana’s predominantly youthful population, the country’s democratic system must continue to evolve by creating space for the ideas, innovation and leadership capabilities of younger generations.

He described government’s acceptance of the recommendation as a bold step toward expanding democratic participation and strengthening inclusive governance.

According to him, future generations may well regard the proposed constitutional amendment as a defining moment in Ghana’s democratic journey, one that reshaped public understanding of leadership by placing greater emphasis on competence and vision rather than age.