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 stateleness in its national laws.
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.
Law activist and academician, Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare aka Kwaku Azar has once again penned a position challenging the explanation given by some individuals on the position of the law on dual citizenship. The outspoken lawyer in his article explained…
MP-elect for Nsuta-Kwamang-Beposo has fought off claims that she holds dual citizenship despite contesting and winning the parliamentary seat for the constituency. Adelaide Yaa Agyeiwaa Ntim has revealed that she renounced her American citizenship months to the elections. “I heard that…
Biometric ID systems are proliferating across Africa but without the appropriate protections for citizens, say activists. By Madeleine Speed In January this year, Kenya’s High Court halted the roll-out of the country’s controversial biometric ID, the Huduma Namba, citing the…
This report provides an overview and analysis of Ghana’s identification ecosystem (IE). It discusses seven major identification (ID) systems: Birth Certificates, Voter ID cards, National Health Insurance cards, Driver’s Licences, Passports, National Identification cards (Ghanacard), and SIM cards. The authors…
By Kwame Ohene Asare Whilst we endure the restrictions brought on by the ongoing pandemic and savour the unison, if not euphony of speeches and even having endured the petering out of rants, rages and chants triggered by the wicked…
By Kofi Ata I have had the opportunity of reading the written judgement of the Supreme Court (SC) in the case of the National Democratic Congress/Mark Banson v the Electoral Commission (EC)/the Attorney General and whilst I agree with most…
By Danielle Paquette Kimberly Reese has never visited Ghana, but she is already designing her dream home there. The Ohio mother of five says she doesn’t feel safe in the United States. “Some of us are tired,” said Reese, 54.…
By Babs-Khalid Hassan A.k.a. Babs Dopouh I observed with a keen interest in how our people in the Zongos are being subjected to the trash by politicians. They all have the same message when they are in Zongos, all they…
The Supreme Court has in a unanimous decision excluded the use of the existing voter identification card as proof of eligibility for a new one in the upcoming voter registration exercise. While agreeing with the National Democratic Congress, the plaintiff,…
Vice President of Imani Africa and technologist Bright Simons has stated that the justification of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) that the old register contains names of unqualified persons so must be discarded for a new one is a…