The government has endorsed a recommendation from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) permitting Ghanaians with dual citizenship to occupy public office, excluding the positions of President and Vice President.
This decision, outlined in the government’s White Paper regarding the CRC’s recommendations, will also eliminate the existing constitutional stipulation that requires Ghanaian citizens by birth to renounce their foreign citizenship prior to running for parliamentary elections.
While presenting the White Paper, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, remarked that the current limitations on dual citizenship are increasingly misaligned with Ghana’s interactions with its diaspora and the realities of contemporary citizenship.
According to the accepted recommendation, a Ghanaian citizen by birth who also possesses the citizenship of another nation will no longer be barred from contesting for Parliament solely due to their dual citizenship status. Furthermore, they will not be obligated to renounce their other nationality before pursuing election.
Dr. Ayine stressed that the existing constitutional provision unnecessarily restricts the involvement of Ghanaians abroad who aspire to contribute to national development through public service.
“The current disqualification sits uneasily with our engagement with the diaspora and with the realities of modern citizenship,” he stated.
In addition to Parliament, the government has also agreed to a proposal to eliminate dual citizenship as a disqualifying criterion for various high-ranking public offices.
If the recommendation is enacted, dual citizens will be qualified to serve in roles such as Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, provided they fulfil all other constitutional prerequisites.
Nevertheless, the positions of President and Vice President will continue to be reserved for individuals who do not possess multiple citizenship.
The suggested modifications are a component of extensive constitutional reforms intended to modernise Ghana’s governance structure and enhance democratic engagement. They must still undergo the necessary constitutional amendment procedures before implementation.
