The government has accepted a recommendation by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to allow Ghanaians with dual citizenship to hold public office, except the positions of President and Vice President.
The decision is contained in the government’s White Paper on the CRC’s recommendations and represents a significant shift from the current constitutional restrictions on dual citizens.
Under the proposed changes, Ghanaians by birth who hold citizenship in another country will no longer be required to renounce their foreign nationality before contesting parliamentary elections.
Presenting the White Paper, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, said the existing restrictions no longer reflect Ghana’s relationship with its diaspora or the realities of modern citizenship.
He argued that the current rules unnecessarily prevent some Ghanaians living abroad from contributing to national development through public service.
“The current disqualification sits uneasily with our engagement with the diaspora and with the realities of modern citizenship,” Dr. Ayine said.
The reform would also open up several senior public offices to dual citizens, provided they meet all other constitutional requirements.
Among the positions that could become open to dual citizens are the Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
However, the proposed reform maintains a clear restriction on the country’s highest political offices. Persons holding dual or multiple citizenship would remain ineligible to serve as President or Vice President of Ghana.
The government says the proposed changes are part of broader efforts to modernise Ghana’s constitutional framework, promote wider participation in governance and strengthen democratic inclusion.
The recommendations will, however, not take effect immediately. They must first go through the constitutional amendment process before becoming law.
