Council of State member weighs in on proposed reduction of presidential age limit

Member of the Council of State, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has thrown his support behind the government's decision in principle to reduce the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years.

He indicated that the proposed constitutional amendment is intended to remove unnecessary barriers to leadership rather than automatically qualify all younger people for the nation's highest office.

In a Facebook post shared on July 31, 2026, Kwamigah-Atokple said the reform should not be interpreted to mean that every 35-year-old is capable of leading the country.

"Reducing the presidential age threshold does not mean that every 35-year-old is automatically qualified to lead a country. Age, whether young or old, should never be the sole measure of competence. Rather, the reform ensures that age alone does not unnecessarily close the door to capable citizens who are qualified and willing to serve," he indicated.

He welcomed the government's acceptance in principle of the recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor H Kwasi Prempeh, describing it as a demonstration of confidence in the abilities of young Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully to national leadership.

According to him, the proposal also challenges the long-held notion that age alone determines whether a person possesses the competence, judgement and experience required to occupy high public office.

Kwamigah-Atokple said the development resonated with his own experience when he sought to represent the Volta Region on the Council of State.

New constitutional reform lowers presidential age limit to 35

"There were attempts to suggest that my age somehow made me unsuitable to serve at the highest advisory institution established under Article 89 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana," he recounted.

He noted that the Council of State has often been perceived as an institution reserved for older people, where ‘grey hair is almost regarded as a qualification for membership.’

Despite those perceptions, he said he contested because he believed leadership should be based on competence rather than age.

"I firmly believed that competence, experience, sound judgement and the willingness to serve should not be disqualified by age alone," he said.

Kwamigah-Atokple said his candidature helped challenge that perception and encouraged more young Ghanaians to contest Council of State elections across the country.

Describing the proposed constitutional amendment as an opportunity to redefine political participation, he said Ghana must move towards a democracy where young people are entrusted with greater responsibility.

"Ghana has a youthful population, and our constitutional democracy must create sufficient space for the aspirations, ideas and leadership capabilities of the next generation," he stated.

He maintained that while age should not be a barrier, leadership must continue to be determined by merit, competence and the confidence of the electorate rather than by an arbitrary age threshold.

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