The PALI Center for Transformative Society has called on Parliament to adopt a cautious and consultative approach to the proposed amendment of Ghana’s dual citizenship laws, warning that changes to constitutional provisions on citizenship and eligibility for public office could have far-reaching consequences.
The Centre said any attempt to alter the existing framework must be preceded by extensive stakeholder consultations and a thorough assessment of the possible implications for governance, national security and public accountability.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the Centre’s Policy Strategist and Lead Director, Chief Icon Frank Papa Kwabena Kumi, and copied to the Ghana News Agency.
The Centre described the Council of State’s position on the proposed legislation as “prudent and timely,” arguing that major public policy decisions should be judged by their practical impact and long-term consequences rather than their theoretical attractiveness.
It cited the experience of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2006 (Act 699), commonly known as ROPAA, as a cautionary example.
According to the Centre, the implementation of ROPAA was confronted by legal, administrative, logistical and financial difficulties, demonstrating the need for careful consideration before introducing reforms whose practical outcomes may be uncertain.
While acknowledging the significant contributions of Ghanaians with dual citizenship through remittances, investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer and professional expertise, the Centre questioned the need for persons seeking public offices that require exclusive allegiance to retain their foreign citizenship.
It argued that such individuals could renounce their foreign citizenship as provided under Ghana’s constitutional framework before assuming certain sensitive positions.
“The existing constitutional provisions do not permanently exclude dual citizens from public service; rather, they require a clear demonstration of exclusive allegiance before assuming certain sensitive public offices,” the statement said.
The Centre maintained that the concerns that influenced the framers of the 1992 Constitution remained relevant, including the possibility of divided allegiance, national and human security risks, conflicts of interest, diplomatic complications and the need for public accountability.
It said the constitutional restrictions were designed to safeguard Ghana’s sovereignty and ensure that individuals occupying certain sensitive public positions demonstrated undivided loyalty to the Republic.
The PALI Center therefore urged Parliament to place the broader national interest at the centre of its consideration of the proposed Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill.
It cautioned that any amendment to the existing constitutional provisions should only be pursued after a comprehensive examination of its potential impact on national security, governance and the integrity of public office.
