President John Dramani Mahama has supported a proposal for a constitutional review that would increase Ghanaians residing overseas’ ability to participate in parliament.
He states that the proposed constitutional amendments might let dual nationals to hold positions as ministers of state and members of parliament.
Speaking at a Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, 2026, President Mahama stated that legislation related to the constitutional revision process was pending in Parliament and aimed to increase the opportunity for dual-citizen Ghanaians to participate in national administration.
He told the audience, “We currently have legislation before Parliament to review the 1992 Constitution to allow Ghanaians in the diaspora who hold other passports or dual passports to participate in our politics at parliamentary and ministerial level.”
His comments coincide with Parliament’s consideration of constitutional revisions that would eliminate limitations on dual citizens’ ability to hold specific public positions.
The Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to eliminate limitations on dual citizens applying for positions including Inspector-General of Police, Secretary to Cabinet, Chief of Defence Staff, Ambassador or High Commissioner, and Service Chiefs.
The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament has been tasked with reviewing the measure following its First Reading.
President Mahama referred to the diaspora as Ghana’s “17th region” and said that Ghanaians residing outside have to play a bigger part in the country’s development.
“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region, which is our diaspora abroad,” he stated.
He stated that last year, remittances from Ghanaians living outside totalled over US$7.8 billion, highlighting the diaspora’s economic contribution to the nation.
In Ghana, the issue of whether dual citizens should be permitted to hold specific governmental positions has been discussed for a long time.
Opponents contend that issues of loyalty and national security must be carefully studied, while supporters contend that the nation should profit from the abilities and worldwide experience of Ghanaians living abroad.
Following the legal and political disputes involving Assin North MP and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister James Gyakye Quayson over citizenship issues related to his election to Parliament, the subject attracted fresh public attention.
President Mahama said that he referred to the planned revisions as the “Gyakye Quayson law” in private, citing Mr. Quayson’s experience.
“I privately call it the Gyakye Quayson law because of the tribulations this man went through,” he said.
Mr. Quayson had already called for Ghanaians living abroad to support the government’s goal of recognising them as full partners in the country’s development.
He spoke to the audience, “I was like one of you not too long ago, let’s take this business of calling the diaspora the 17th region very seriously.”
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, also urged greater interaction between the government and Ghanaians residing overseas, characterising the diaspora as a crucial component of Ghana’s development initiatives.
Source: newsthemegh.com