John Dramani Mahama has backed proposals to amend Ghana’s Constitution to allow dual citizens, particularly Ghanaians living abroad, to serve as Members of Parliament and ministers of state.

Speaking at a Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, 2026, President Mahama said constitutional reforms currently before Parliament seek to broaden political participation for Ghanaians abroad who hold dual citizenship.

Mahama said legislation tied to the constitutional review process was aimed at removing barriers preventing dual citizens from fully participating in Ghana’s governance structure.

“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 be able to participate in our politics at parliamentary and ministerial level,” Mahama stated.

The proposed constitutional amendments come amid ongoing discussions over whether dual citizens should be permitted to occupy key public offices in Ghana.

The Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which has undergone its First Reading in Parliament, seeks to remove restrictions affecting dual citizens seeking appointments to positions including Ambassador or High Commissioner, Secretary to Cabinet, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and Inspector-General of Police.

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President Mahama argued that Ghanaians abroad should be given greater opportunities to contribute to national development, describing the diaspora as Ghana’s ‘17th region.’

“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region, which is our diaspora abroad,” he said.
He further noted that remittances from Ghanaians overseas reached approximately US$7.8 billion last year, stressing the diaspora’s growing contribution to the national economy.

The debate over dual citizenship and public office has remained contentious in Ghana, with supporters arguing that the country stands to benefit from the expertise and international exposure of Ghanaians abroad, while critics have raised concerns over issues of loyalty and national security.

The matter regained national attention following the legal and political controversies surrounding James Gyakye Quayson over citizenship-related issues linked to his parliamentary election.

Referring to Quayson’s experience, Mahama disclosed that he privately refers to the proposed reforms as the ‘Gyakye Quayson law.’

“I privately call it the Gyakye Quayson law because of the tribulations this man went through,” he remarked.

Earlier, Quayson encouraged members of the Ghanaian diaspora to embrace the government’s vision of treating overseas Ghanaians as full partners in Ghana’s development.

“I was like one of you not too long ago. Let’s take this business of calling the diaspora the 17th region very seriously,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering, Sabah Zita Benson called for stronger engagement between the Ghanaian state and citizens living abroad, describing the diaspora as an important partner in national development.

MRA/VPO

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