2 MPs Push Law to Stop Ghanaians Over Age 65 From Contesting For Parliament
- Two lawmakers proposed an age cap of 65 for Ghanaian parliamentary candidates to boost efficiency
- Legislators argue for updated eligibility standards to meet modern national demands and challenges
- Draft bill aims to ensure MPs possess the stamina and agility for contemporary legislative tasks
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Two legislators have initiated a Private Members’ bill to amend Article 94 of the 1992 Constitution to put an age limit on the qualification to contest for a Member of Parliament.
The two lawmakers want a maximum age requirement of 65 to be adopted.
Source: Facebook
3News reported that a draft of the bill was submitted to the Clerk to Parliament on March 10, 2026.
The two MPs pushing the bill, Ohene Kwame Frimpong, the MP for Asante Akyem North, and Ibrahimah Mohammed Zuwera of Salaga South, argued that eligibility standards need to be reviewed to ensure alignment with contemporary national needs.
They believe the proposed bill is to enhance legislative efficiency and capacity.
“Parliamentary duties require sustained physical stamina, cognitive agility and responsiveness to complex policy challenges, including digital transformation, climate change and global economic integration."
What are the requirements to be a legislator in Ghana?
To qualify as a member of Parliament, one must be a citizen of Ghana, be at least 21 years and be a registered voter.
One must also be a resident in the constituency for which he stands as a candidate for election to Parliament, or has resided there for a total period of not less than five years out of the ten years immediately preceding the election for which he stands, or he hails from that constituency.
One must also have paid all his taxes or made arrangements satisfactory to the appropriate authority for the payment of his taxes.
Among others, a person may be disqualified from contesting to be a legislator if he or she:
- Owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana
- Has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt, of unsound mind or is detained as a criminal lunatic under any law in force in Ghana; or has been convicted of major crimes like treason.
- Has been found by the report of a commission or a committee of inquiry to be incompetent to hold public office
- Is under sentence of death or other sentence of imprisonment imposed on him by any court., or
- Is not qualified to be registered as a voter under any law relating to public elections
What are Private Members' Bills?
Private Members' Bills are draft laws introduced by individual Members of Parliament rather than the Executive branch, allowing legislators to directly influence legislation.
Formally adopted in 2020, this process allows MPs to introduce bills, subject to constitutional checks on financing, via the Parliament of Ghana's Committee on Private Member’s Bills for review before parliamentary debate.
Over the years, Parliament has felt restrained by Article 108(a) of the Constitution in exercising its powers to enact Private Member’s Bills.
However, this position changed in June 2020, when the House passed a resolution to commence the passing of Private Member’s Bills.
Source: YEN.com.gh
