View source for President of Ghana

{{short description|Head of state and head of government of Ghana}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox Political post
| post = President
| body = the<br />Republic of Ghana
| insignia = Seal of the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana.svg
| insigniasize = 120px
| insigniacaption = Presidential Seal of Ghana
| flag = Standard of the President of Ghana.svg
| flagsize = 125px
| flagcaption = [[Flag of Ghana|Presidential Standard of Ghana]]
| flagborder = yes
| image = John Dramani Mahama Aug2014 (cropped).jpg
| incumbent = [[John Mahama]]
| incumbentsince = 7 January 2025
| style = His Excellency
| type = [[Head of state]]<br />[[Head of government]]
| residence = [[Jubilee House]]
| termlength = Four years,
| termlength_qualified    = renewable once
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Ghana]] (1992)
| formation = {{start date and age|df=y|1960|7|1}}
| inaugural = [[Kwame Nkrumah]]
| salary = 934,800 [[Ghanaian cedi]]/US$76,000 annually<ref name="africaranking.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.africaranking.com/highest-paid-african-presidents/|title=Top 15 Highest Paid African Presidents 2017|date=15 December 2016}}</ref>
| deputy = [[Vice President of Ghana]]
| website = {{in lang|en}} [http://www.presidency.gov.gh/ presidency.gov.gh]<br />{{in lang|en}} [http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ ghana.gov.gh]
}}
{{Politics of Ghana}}

The '''president of the Republic of Ghana''' is the elected [[head of state]] and [[head of government]] of [[Ghana]], as well as [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Ghana Armed Forces]]. The current president of Ghana is [[John Dramani Mahama|John Mahama]], who won the [[2024 Ghanaian general election|2024 presidential election]] against then vice president, [[Mahamudu Bawumia]], by a margin of 14.94%. He was sworn into office on 7 January 2025. 

==History of the office==
From 1957 to 1960 the head of state under the [[Constitution of Ghana|Constitution]] of 1957 was the [[queen of Ghana]], [[Elizabeth II]], who was also the monarch of other [[Commonwealth realm]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Magnum Photos|url=https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&STID=2S5RYDIWIN32|website=pro.magnumphotos.com|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> The monarch was represented in Ghana by a governor-general.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Magnum Photos|url=https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&STID=2S5RYDIWIN32|website=pro.magnumphotos.com|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> Ghana became a [[Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations|republic within the Commonwealth]] under the Constitution of 1960 and the monarch and governor-general were replaced by an executive president.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana – INDEPENDENT GHANA|url=http://countrystudies.us/ghana/14.htm|website=countrystudies.us|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> [[Kwame Nkrumah]], who had been [[prime minister of Ghana|prime minister]] since independence, became the first president, holding office until he was overthrown in a [[1966 Ghanaian coup d'état|1966 coup]] orchestrated by the American CIA<ref>{{Cite web|title=US documents show CIA orchestrated Kwame Nkrumah’s overthrow |url=https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/politics/cia-mahama-nkrumah/2025 |website=gbcghanaonline.com |access-date=2025-11-16}}</ref>.

Civilian rule was restored in 1969, with the establishment of the Second Republic. In response to Nkrumah's authoritarian excesses, the constitution drafted a year earlier greatly reduced the powers of the president, to a point almost entirely ceremonial. Real power was vested in the prime minister and cabinet. The only president under this system, [[Edward Akufo-Addo]], was elected by parliament in 1970, but was overthrown in a [[1972 Ghanaian coup d'état|1972 coup]]. 

In 1979, a new constitution established the Third Republic, based on a mixture of the 1960 and 1969 constitutions. The presidency became an executive post once again, with powers and duties similar to those of his American counterpart. The only president under this system, [[Hilla Limann]], was elected in 1979, only to be overthrown in a [[1981 Ghanaian coup d'état|1981 coup]].

In 1992, the current constitution was adopted. Like its 1979 predecessor, it made the presidency an executive post. [[Jerry Rawlings]], the country's de facto leader since the 1981 coup, was elected as president that year, taking office in 1993.

==Eligibility==
According to Chapter 8, Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, a presidential candidate must meet the following requirements: 

*(a) is a citizen of Ghana by birth
*(b) has attained the age of forty years; and
*(c) is a person who is otherwise qualified to be elected a Member of Parliament, except that the disqualifications set out in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of clause (2) of article 94 of this [[Constitution]] shall not be removed, in respect of any such person, by a presidential pardon or by the lapse of time as provided for in clause (5) of that article.<ref name="The President - Chapter 008">[http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/chapter/chap_8.htm The President – Chapter 008 – The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 – The Executive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728114003/http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/chapter/chap_8.htm |date=28 July 2013 }}. ''judicial.gov.gh''. ''[[Judiciary of Ghana]]''.</ref>

Presidential candidates must lodge a nomination document signed by at least two registered voters in each [[districts of Ghana|district]], and includes the name of a [[Vice President of Ghana|vice presidential]] running mate.

The president serves a four-year term. He is limited to two terms, whether successive or separated. The first president for whom the term limits applied was [[Jerry Rawlings]] in 2001.<ref name="termlimits">{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Candace |last2=Siegle |first2=Joseph |title=Circumvention of Term Limits Weakens Governance in Africa |url=https://africacenter.org/spotlight/circumvention-of-term-limits-weakens-governance-in-africa/ |website=Africa Center for Strategic Studies}}</ref>

If the president dies, resigns, is permanently incapacitated, or is removed from office, the vice president automatically ascends as president for the balance of the term. If the vice president ascends to the presidency before more than half of the presidential term expires, the vice president is only allowed to run for a single full term as president. If more than half of the term has expired, the vice president is allowed to run for two full terms. For example, when [[John Atta-Mills]] died in 2012, Vice President John Mahama served the last six months of Mills' term before being elected in his own right later that year. He was eligible for a second term in 2016, but lost. He lost again in 2020 but won in 2024. However, he will have to leave office for good in 2029. If both the president and vice president are unable to perform the duties of president, the Speaker of Parliament becomes acting president, and new elections must be held within three months.

== Oath of office ==
The president of Ghana must be sworn in by the [[Chief Justice of Ghana|chief justice]] before Parliament and the [[Citizenship|citizens]] of Ghana. The president-elect must repeat the following:

"I, _______________ having been elected to the high office of President of the Republic of Ghana do (in the name of the Almighty God swear) (solemnly affirm) that I will be faithful and true to the Republic of Ghana; that I will at all times preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana; and that I dedicate myself to the service and well-being of the people of the Republic of Ghana and to do right to all manner of persons.

I further (solemnly swear) (solemnly affirm) that should I at any time break this oath of office; I shall submit myself to the laws of the Republic of Ghana and suffer the penalty for it. (So help me God)".<ref>[http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/second_schedule/home.htm The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 – The Oath of Allegiance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720024730/http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/second_schedule/home.htm |date=20 July 2011 }}. ''judicial.gov.gh''. ''[[Judiciary of Ghana]]''.</ref>

==Insignia==
After the oath of office has been taken by the elected president, these following insignia are handed over to the president. These devices are used to display the rank of his/her office and are used on special occasions.

*President's Sword  [https://web.archive.org/web/20100219174030/http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/856/79064258optim.jpg (image)] and the Presidential Seat, Presidential standard pole and state sword. A carved wooden seat overlaid with gold.

==Powers and duties of the president==
{{Infobox President styles
|image=[[File:Seal of the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana.svg|80px]]
|name= John Dramani Mahama
|dipstyle= 'His Excellency President of the Republic of Ghana" 
|offstyle= Your Excellency" 
|altstyle= Mr. President
}}

Chapter 8 of the Constitution of Ghana states the duties and the powers of the president.
The president is required to:
* uphold the Constitution
* exercise executive authority
* preserve the safety and homeland of Ghana.<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/>

Also, the president is given the powers:
* as the leader of the [[executive branch]] of government
* as the [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Military of Ghana|military]]
* to [[Declaration of war|declare war]]
* to hold [[referendum]]s regarding issues of national importance
* to issue [[decree|executive orders]]
* to issue [[medals]] in honor of service for the nation
* to issue pardons
* to declare a [[state of emergency]] suspending all laws or enacting a state of [[martial law]].<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/>

The president may execute or cause to be executed treaties, agreements or conventions in the name of the Republic of Ghana.<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/> The president shall take precedence over the populace of the Republic of Ghana and may refer important policy matters to a national referendum, declare war, conclude peace and other treaties, appoint senior public officials, and grant amnesty (with the concurrence of the [[Parliament of Ghana]]).<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/> In times of serious internal or external turmoil or threat, or economic or financial crises, the president may assume emergency powers "for the maintenance of national security or public peace and order".<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/>

The president shall be removed from office if found, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Chapter 8 section 69 (ii) – prejudicial or inimical to the economy or the security of the Republic of Ghana.<ref name="The President - Chapter 008"/> The president shall cease to hold office on the date the [[Parliament of Ghana]] votes to remove the president from office.

==Presidential aircraft==
The official presidential aircraft is a [[Dassault Falcon 900]], registration 9G-EXE, which was acquired in 2010.<ref> {{Cite web |date= |title=$250,000,000 For New Jets |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/250-000-000-For-New-Jets-214090 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}} </ref><ref> {{Cite web |last= |title=Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/9g-exe |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Flightradar24 |language=en}} </ref> The aircraft was overhauled for six months in 2022, and returned to service in February 2023.<ref> {{Cite web |date=2023-02-17 |title=Refurbished presidential jet returns, equipped for long haul flights - Report |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Refurbished-presidential-jet-returns-equipped-for-long-haul-flights-Sources-1715861 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}} </ref>

The presidential aircraft uses the colour scheme of the [[flag of Ghana]] in stripes, with the [[Coat of arms of Ghana|Ghanaian coat of arms]] on the tail.

In 2011, the government purchased an [[Embraer 190]] making a part payment of $55m however it was revealed in 2020 that the jet was not delivered. There has been some speculation to whether or not the delivery was cancelled due to the government defaulting on its payment.<ref> {{Cite web |date=2020-02-06 |title=Revealed: Mahama's Embraer 190 Never Arrived In Ghana – Minister |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/revealed-mahamas-embraer-190-never-arrived-in-ghana-minister/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}} </ref>

==Overview==
The youngest person to become head of state was [[Jerry Rawlings]], who at the age of 31, assumed office following [[1979 Ghanaian coup d'état|a coup d'état]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schudel |first1=Matt |title=Jerry Rawlings, coup leader who ruled Ghana for 20 years, dies at 73|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/jerry-rawlings-coup-leader-who-ruled-ghana-for-20-years-dies-at-73/2020/11/12/d8453a32-2504-11eb-a688-5298ad5d580a_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=12 November 2020 |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref> The youngest civilian head of state to assume the presidency was [[Hilla Limann]], who was inaugurated at the age of 44. The oldest person to assume the presidency is [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] who was inaugurated at age 72.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nana Akufo-Addo sworn in as Ghana's new president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/1/7/nana-akufo-addo-sworn-in-as-ghanas-new-president |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=7 January 2017 |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana swears in Akufo-Addo as president |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ghana-swears-in-akufo-addo-as-president/a-37048280 |publisher=[[DW News|DW]] |date=7 January 2017 |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref>

At age 34, [[Akwasi Afrifa]] was the youngest head of state at the end of his tenure. [[Fred Akuffo]]'s lifespan of 42 years was the shortest of any head of state.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 Former Heads of State Are Executed in Ghana |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/06/27/2-former-heads-of-state-are-executed-in-ghana/277f17f6-69ef-48aa-bbb4-8d71b02004f3/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=26 June 1979 |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New Regime in Ghana Executes 2 Ex-Rulers And 4 Senior Officers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/27/archives/new-regime-in-ghana-executes-2-exrulers-and-4-senior-officers-purge.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=27 June 1979 |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref> The oldest head of state at the end of his tenure is also Nana Akufo-Addo at 80.

Akufo-Addo's second retirement, now {{ayd|2025|1|7}}, is currently the shortest, <!-- [[Fred Akuffo]]'s retirement of just 22 days is the shortest in Ghana's history --> while [[Joseph Arthur Ankrah]]'s retirement of 23 years is the longest in Ghana's history. At age {{age|1938|12|8}}, [[John Kufuor]] is the oldest of the three living heads of state, he is also the nation's longest-lived head of state. Kufuor and [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] are the only heads of state to have lived into their 80s. The youngest living head of state is [[John Mahama]], age {{age|1958|11|29}}.

==List of presidents==
{{further|List of heads of state of Ghana}}

==Latest election==
{{main|2024 Ghanaian general election}}

==See also==
* [[Chief of Staff (Ghana)]]
* [[List of Ghanaian heads of state by age]]

==References==
{{reflist}}{{Commons}}{{Ghana topics}}
{{GhanaPresidents}}
{{Heads of state and government of African states}}

[[Category:Politics of Ghana]]
[[Category:Presidents of Ghana| ]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Ghana]]