The government has agreed to a recommendation from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) that allows Ghanaians with dual citizenship to hold public office, except for the positions of President and Vice President. This decision, outlined in the government’s White Paper on the CRC’s recommendations, will eliminate the current constitutional requirement that Ghanaian citizens by birth renounce their foreign citizenship before running for parliamentary elections.
During the presentation of the White Paper in Accra, Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine stated that the existing restrictions on dual citizens are no longer aligned with Ghana’s engagement with its diaspora or the realities of modern citizenship.
Under the new recommendation, a Ghanaian citizen by birth who also holds citizenship in another country will not be disqualified from contesting for Parliament solely because of their dual citizenship status. Furthermore, they will not need to renounce their other nationality to seek election. “The current disqualification conflicts with our engagement with the diaspora and the realities of modern citizenship,” Dr. Ayine explained.
Beyond Parliament, the government has also accepted a proposal to remove dual citizenship as a disqualifying factor for several high-ranking public offices. If the recommendation is implemented, dual citizens will be eligible to serve in positions such as Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, provided they meet all other constitutional requirements.
“Multiple citizenship will no longer disqualify a person from holding certain offices except that of President and Vice President of the Republic. So, the fact that you have multiple citizenships will not bar you from becoming Chief Justice of the Republic, or becoming the head of the Electoral Commission, or, for instance, becoming Speaker of Parliament,” Dr Ayine said.
However, the offices of President and Vice President will remain reserved for persons who do not hold multiple citizenship.
The proposed changes form part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at updating Ghana’s governance framework and strengthening democratic participation. They will still have to go through the required constitutional amendment processes before taking effect.
Source: GraphicOnline
