President John Mahama has thrown his weight behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Ghanaians with dual citizenship to serve as MPs and ministers, a shift that could reshape the country’s political landscape.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall in London on May 31, 2026, President Mahama confirmed that a bill currently before Parliament seeks to overturn restrictions in the 1992 Constitution.
If passed, dual citizens would be eligible for parliamentary and ministerial roles, offices currently reserved for sole citizens of Ghana.
The proposed changes extend to other top posts, including Ambassador, Chief of Defence Staff, and Inspector-General of Police. The bill has passed its First Reading and is under review by Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.
Mahama described Ghana’s diaspora as the country’s “17th region,” citing $7.8 billion in annual remittances as evidence of their economic weight.
He also acknowledged the political impetus behind the reform, noting privately that he calls it the “Gyakye Quayson law”, a reference to the deputy foreign minister’s protracted legal battles over his dual citizenship during his election to Parliament.
While supporters argue the reform taps into global expertise and strengthens ties with overseas Ghanaians, critics caution that loyalty and national security concerns remain unresolved.
For now, the debate moves back to Parliament, where the bill’s fate will test Ghana’s willingness to redefine citizenship and political belonging in a globalised era.
