The PALI Centre for Transformative Society has called on Parliament to carefully consider the long-term implications of the proposed Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill before making any changes to constitutional provisions on eligibility for public office.
The Centre said the Council of State’s position on the Bill was “prudent and timely,” arguing that amendments affecting citizenship, allegiance and access to sensitive state positions require extensive consultation and careful analysis.
In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and signed by its Policy Strategist and Lead Director, Mr. Frank Papa Kwabena Kumi, the Centre said public policies must be evaluated beyond their immediate objectives to determine their broader impact on governance and national interest.
The Centre raised concerns about potential challenges associated with constitutional amendments, referencing the implementation difficulties encountered with the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2006 (ROPAA), which was introduced to extend voting rights to Ghanaians living abroad.
According to PALI, despite the positive intention behind ROPAA, its implementation faced several legal, administrative, logistical and financial challenges, demonstrating the need for caution when introducing major policy changes.
The organisation questioned the necessity of amending the Constitution to allow dual citizens to occupy certain public offices, arguing that individuals who wish to hold such positions can voluntarily renounce their foreign citizenship to demonstrate exclusive allegiance to Ghana.
However, the Centre acknowledged the valuable contributions of Ghanaians with dual citizenship, including remittances, investments, entrepreneurship, professional expertise and knowledge transfer.
It maintained that the existing constitutional provisions do not permanently prevent dual citizens from participating in public service but require individuals seeking certain sensitive positions to demonstrate undivided loyalty to the country.
The Centre said concerns that influenced the drafting of the 1992 Constitution, including possible conflicts of interest, divided allegiance, national security considerations and accountability issues, remain relevant in today’s interconnected world.
It argued that constitutional restrictions on certain public offices should not be interpreted as discriminatory measures but rather as safeguards designed to protect national sovereignty and the public interest.
PALI Centre urged Parliament to undertake broad stakeholder consultations and carefully examine the governance, constitutional and national security implications of the proposed amendment.
The organisation called on lawmakers to place Ghana’s long-term interests at the centre of discussions on reforms affecting citizenship requirements and eligibility for public office.
