ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana has temporarily suspended citizenship applications for members of the African diaspora, as authorities move to overhaul a process that critics say has become costly, complex and difficult to navigate.
The programme, introduced in 2016, allows people of African descent who can trace their ancestry to the continent to apply for Ghanaian citizenship. It was primarily designed to reconnect descendants of Africans displaced by the transatlantic slave trade with the continent.
More than 1,000 people have acquired Ghanaian nationality under the scheme in recent years, including prominent figures such as African American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder.
However, the process has increasingly drawn criticism from applicants and advocacy groups, prompting the government to pause new applications while reforms are considered.
Concerns over timelines and DNA requirements
Applicants have raised concerns over tight deadlines and documentary requirements, particularly the requirement to submit DNA evidence within a week of applying.
Dr Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, an organisation that assists members of the diaspora seeking to relocate to Ghana—said the timeline posed serious challenges.
She told this publication that many applicants struggled to meet the one-week deadline for submitting DNA results, describing it as “impossible” for most, while others questioned the reliability and accessibility of DNA testing.
She added that the short timeframe for submitting all additional documentation compounded the difficulty, especially for applicants based outside Africa.
High costs add to frustration
Cost has also been a major sticking point. The initial application fee stands at $136 (£100), but shortlisted applicants are required to pay an additional $2,280 (£1,700).
Successful candidates are then subjected to vetting, attend a one-day citizenship orientation, and finally receive their nationality during a ceremony presided over by President John Mahama.
Despite the suspension, Dr Bennet expressed optimism that the challenges would be addressed and that applications would resume under improved guidelines.
The Ghanaian government has confirmed the pause, stating that revised timelines and procedures will be announced “in due course”, though no specific date has been given.
Anxiety among potential investors
The lack of clarity has caused uncertainty among prospective applicants, particularly those planning to relocate, invest or establish businesses in Ghana.
Many members of the diaspora pursue citizenship to secure property ownership rights, participate in elections and gain access to public services.
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Diaspora-led investments continue to play a growing role in Ghana’s real estate, agriculture, technology and small business sectors.
A Pan-African vision under review
Ghana’s outreach to Africans worldwide is rooted in the Pan-African philosophy championed by its first President, Kwame Nkrumah, who envisioned the country as a homeland for Africans across the globe.
That vision was revived in 2019 through the “Year of Return”, a high-profile initiative marking 400 years since the first recorded arrival of enslaved Africans in North America. The campaign significantly boosted tourism, investment and global engagement.
Other African countries, including Benin and Sierra Leone, have introduced similar citizenship or residency pathways for people of African descent based on verified ancestral ties.
As Ghana reviews its own framework, observers say the challenge will be balancing accessibility, integrity and affordability, while preserving the symbolic and practical significance of reconnecting the diaspora with the continent.
