President of Ghana

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President of the
Republic of Ghana

Presidential Seal of Ghana

Presidential Standard of Ghana

 Incumbent
Nana Akufo-Addo
since 7 January 2017

Style His/Her Excellency

Residence Jubilee House

Term length Four years, renewable once

Inaugural holder Kwame Nkrumah

Republic established

Jerry Rawlings

Current Constitution

Formation Republic Day

1 July 1960

1992 Constitution

15 May 1992
Deputy Vice-President of Ghana

Salary US$76,000 annually[1]

Website (in English) presidency.gov.gh

(in English) ghana.gov.gh

Ghana

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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 Nana Akufo-Addo, who won the 2016 presidential
election against the incumbent, John Dramani Mahama, by a margin of 9.45%. He was
sworn into office on 7 January 2017.[2] Addo was re-elected for a second term in
the 2020 presidential election, defeating Mahama by a margin of 3.94%.[3]
Contents

 1Eligibility
 2Oath of office
 3Insignia
 4Powers and duties of the president
 5List of presidents of Ghana (1960–present)
 6Residence
 7Transport
 8Timeline since 1960
 9Latest election
 10President-elect
o 10.1List of presidents-elect
 11See also
 12References

Eligibility[edit]
According to Chapter 8, Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, a person shall not
be qualified for election as the president of Ghana unless:

 (a) he/she is a citizen of Ghana by birth

 (b) he/she has attained the age of forty years; and
 (c) he/she 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.[4]
Presidential candidates must lodge a nomination document signed by at least two
registered voters in each district, and includes the name of a vice presidential running
mate.
The president serves a four-year term. He is limited to two terms, whether successive or
separated. 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, he is only allowed to run for a single full term as president. 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[edit]
The president of Ghana must be sworn in by the chief justice before the citizens of
Ghana at the Independence Square in Accra. 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)".[5]

Insignia[edit]
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 (image) and the Presidential Seat. A carved wooden seat

overlaid with gold.

Powers and duties of the president[edit]

Presidential styles of
Nana Akufo-Addo
 Reference style 'His Excellency President of the Republic of

Ghana"

Spoken style Your Excellency"

Alternative style 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.[4]
Also, the president is given the powers:

 as the leader of the executive branch of government

 as the commander-in-chief of the military
 to declare war
 to hold referenda regarding issues of national importance
 to issue 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.[4]
The president may execute or cause to be executed treaties, agreements or
conventions in the name of the Republic of Ghana. [4] 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).[4] 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". [4]
The president shall be removed from office if he/she is 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. [4] The president shall cease to hold
office on the date the Parliament of Ghana decides that he/she be removed from office.[4]