In brief
In a significant move, Ghana has paused the citizenship application process for individuals of African descent to refine the procedure and address various concerns raised by applicants. Since 2016, over 1,000 members of the African diaspora have successfully obtained citizenship, but feedback about the complexity and high costs of the application process prompted the government to take action. Updates on the application process are expected soon as the government works to ensure a more user-friendly experience.
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 have been able to get Ghanaian nationality. It was primarily aimed at the descendants of those who were victims of the transatlantic slave trade.
More than 1,000 people—including notable figures like musician Stevie Wonder—have obtained Ghanaian citizenship in recent years.
However, some applicants expressed frustration over the lengthy and costly application process. Concerns were raised regarding the requirement to submit DNA evidence within a tight timeframe, which many found unrealistic, as well as the overall high costs involved.
Dr. Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, noted the difficulties applicants faced with the submission timeline and raised concerns about DNA testing's reliability. The initial application fee is $136 (£100), with an additional charge of $2,280 (£1,700) for shortlisted candidates.
Once vetted, applicants attend a one-day citizenship orientation before receiving their nationality at a ceremony presided over by the President.
Bennet expressed optimism that the process would soon be improved and that applications would resume shortly. The government has stated that updates regarding timelines and guidelines will be provided in due course.
Uncertainties surrounding the suspension have caused anxiety among potential applicants seeking to relocate or invest in Ghana.
The outreach to Africans world-wide resonates with Ghana's post-independence Pan-African vision, initially championed by the nation's first President, Kwame Nkrumah. This initiative was relaunched in 2019 as the Year of Return to ignite greater global interest in reconnecting with Ghana.
Today, members of the diaspora invest in various sectors such as real estate, agriculture, and technology in Ghana, often seeking citizenship to enable property ownership, voting rights, and better access to public services.
Other nations like Benin and Sierra Leone also offer citizenship based on verified ancestral ties.
