By Ashiadey Dotse
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has rejected proposals to reduce the presidential age limit to 30 years, describing the move as premature for Ghana’s political system as Cabinet is set to deliberate on the Constitutional Review Report.
Her comments come on the back of a recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee that the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates be reduced from 40 to 30 years, which it described as unnecessarily restrictive.
Speaking during the presentation on Monday, December 22, 2025, the Chair of the Committee, Henry Kwasi Prempeh, explained that the proposed amendments are based on nationwide consultations and expert input.
Reacting to the proposal on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Friday, May 15, 2026, Ellen Daaku argued that individuals in their early 30s are often still building their careers and may not yet be fully prepared for the demands of the presidency
“When you look at our system and how our politics work, by the time you are 30, you are still finding your feet and preparing yourself,” she explained, adding that even after completing tertiary education, many young people would need more time to gain the experience required for such a high office.
Despite her opposition to the age limit proposal, Ellen Daaku said she agrees with many of the other recommendations put forward by the committee, particularly calls to separate the roles of Members of Parliament and ministers.
She noted that combining both roles places excessive pressure on individuals and weakens effective governance.
“Being a Member of Parliament is already a full-time, demanding job that requires total commitment to constituents,” she said. “Adding ministerial duties makes it even more difficult to perform effectively.”
According to her, separating the two roles would allow MPs to focus on their legislative responsibilities, while also giving the president greater flexibility to appoint qualified individuals from a wider pool.
She added that reducing the number of overlapping responsibilities would also help improve efficiency and support the fight against corruption.
Ellen Daaku further stressed the need to strengthen the independence of Parliament, saying a dedicated and focused legislature is key to Ghana’s democratic growth.
She concluded that while reforms are necessary, they must be carefully considered to ensure they reflect the country’s political realities and promote effective governance.
