The framework of citizenship law in Ghana has been amended several times, and is currently set forth in chapter III of the 1992 Constitution and the Citizenship Act 2000. The constitution provides that a person born after it entered into force, whether inside or outside Ghana “shall become a citizen of Ghana at the date of his birth if either of his parents or grandparents is or was citizen of Ghana.” It also provides for a presumption of citizenship in favour of children of unknown parents. Ghana has allowed dual citizenship since amendments to the constitution in 1996.
In 2015, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child welcomed substantial improvements in the area of birth registration, but called for strengthened efforts to ensure all children are registered. The Committee also recommended that Ghana strengthen the protections against statelessness in its national laws. In 2019, Ghana pledged to accede to the two statelessness conventions and to identify groups at risk of statelessness in Ghana.
A large number of refugees from Liberia fled into Ghana during Liberia’s long civil war, which led to a protracted refugee situation of Liberian refugees in Ghana, sparking discussion of whether or not refugees should be allowed to naturalize.
By Akosua Shannan Magee Recently Ghana hosted another citizenship ceremony for members of the African diaspora, presided over by Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, representing His Excellency the President of the Republic […]
Accra (AFP) – Tightly holding her citizenship certificate against her chest, Patrice Ann Robertson wiped away a tear; she’s now officially Ghanaian nearly a decade after she started living in the west African country. “This is home,” the now Ghanaian-American, […]
In a display of reconnection and healing, members of the African Diaspora Community were sworn in as Ghanaian citizens, marking a significant moment in the country’s efforts to reconnect with its global family. Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. the Vice […]
New Ghanaian citizens took the oath of allegiance on Monday at a swearing in ceremony in Accra. Once a central part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Ghana has become a prime destination for members of the historical diaspora wanting to […]
The Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President, has announced the commencement of vetting for applicants under the “Historic Diaspora Community” citizenship programme. In a statement issued on Tuesday, February […]
The Ministry of the Interior and the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President announce the Vetting of the Granting of Citizenship for the “Historic Diaspora Community”. Applicants for the Historic Diaspora Community will be scheduled in batches […]
Wedaeli Chibelushi Published 7 February 2026 Although their forefathers were seized from West and Central Africa centuries ago, the bond between African-Americans and their ancestral home has been a lasting one. For instance, Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, was founded by […]
Thomas Naadi, BBC Africa, and Jean Otalor Ghana has paused citizenship applications for members of the African diaspora in order to make the system more accessible and user friendly. Since 2016, those who can prove their ancestors came from Africa […]
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION NOTICE – February 1, 2026 The Ghana Ministry of the Interior and Diaspora Affairs Office have temporarily paused the citizenship application process. The February 2-6 application window is currently on hold while they work to streamline and improve […]
Fresh concerns have emerged about the strength of Ghana’s citizenship and documentation processes, following reports that some foreign nationals – Niharika Handa and her son, Vasu Handa – obtained Ghanaian citizenship despite alleged unresolved inconsistencies in personal records. Investigators earlier […]
Statelessness remains a concern for the UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) for Côte d’Ivoire, covering Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, and Togo, with hundreds of thousands of people (including over 900,000 in Côte d’Ivoire) estimated to be stateless or at risk. […]
By Kwame Aduhene-Kwarteng, PhD Many Ghanaians at home and abroad believe it is time to revisit the 1992 Constitution. This sentiment is powerful among diaspora members with political aspirations eager to see restrictions lifted on dual citizens serving in political […]