Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante has defended the constitutional provision that prevents Ghanaians with dual citizenship from holding political positions in the country.

This follows renewed debate on the issue and its impact on the human resource in the country.

While former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to review the law should the NDC come to power in 2024, the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) is demanding for the immediate amendment of same by government.

But defending the current constitutional provision, Dr. Asah-Asante said Ghana does not have strong institutions or systems to monitor and keep in check dual citizens who are allowed to hold sensitive positions.

These positions, he said includes the President, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Armed Forces, Inspector General of Police and Director of Immigration among others.

According to him, although some countries are comfortable allowing dual citizens to hold certain positions, Ghana is not ready.

"One of the reasons why those things exist there (in other countries) is because institutions exist and I am talking about strong institutions that work. So monitoring and maintenance of the institution is top notch.

"So if you are a minister with dual citizenship and you are not suppose to do certain things, there is a whole system that monitors you so that you don’t cross the line. Is it the case in Ghana that we have the institutions which are strong enough to be able to arrive at where we are supposed to be?," he questioned.

The political scientist insisted that more discussion must be had on the matter and numerous questions put across to ensure that advocates for the review or scrapping of the law on dual citizenship understood the dangers or risks involved.

Background

Former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to review the constitutional provision that prevents Ghanaians with dual citizenship from holding political positions in the country.

According to him, such a law cannot be allowed to remain in the current scheme of things. 

Mr Mahama insisted that the law hurts the country’s human resource and must not be allowed to fester any longer. 

“But I want to assure the people of Ghana and James Gyakye Quayson, who is our MP for Assin North, that when NDC comes to power, we will clarify that constitutional provision that compels them to give up their foreign citizenship before they contest elections.”

Addressing NDC faithfuls on Sunday, May 7, 2023 in Tamale, Mr. Mahama said “a country’s human resource is its best resource. We happen to have three million of our citizens abroad, they have acquired skills and different talents. Why must we have a law that bars them when we have a dual citizenship law? We will clarify it, so that they can come and contest for parliamentary seats and hold offices in Ghana. They don’t have to give up their other citizenship to be able to hold office,” he argued.

The NDC flagbearer hopeful also accused the  government of being behind the Supreme Court’s injunction against Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson who represented the opposition National Democratic Congress in that constituency. 

PPP on dual citizenship

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has also asked government to amend the laws regarding dual citizenship.

It said the restriction placed on persons with dual citizenship stalls national development as they are prevented from holding any public office.

The party wants the existing laws to be amended immediately to ensure that no person of Ghanaian origin is restricted from contributing their skills and knowledge to the nation’s growth.

“We want our laws on dual citizenship, and public service amended to all Ghanaians. Citizens with dual citizenship must be given full citizenship right to serve in all public sectors, to be MPs or President.”

“We are asking that this law be changed to allow all Ghanaians dual citizens or not in all public service positions they wish to serve,” the PPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Simon Quansah, stated.

The demand was contained in a speech read on behalf of the party’s National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu, at the New Patriotic Party’s annual delegates’ conference.

Their call is in line with the case of the embattled Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, who has been fighting a dual citizenship case after he won the parliamentary seat in the 2020 elections.