Government reviews GH¢25,000 citizenship fee after diaspora concerns

The Ghanaian government is examining the GH¢25,000 fee for obtaining citizenship, following complaints from members of the Ghanaian diaspora who feel it may deter people from establishing formal links with the country. Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, stated that the issue was brought up with the Minister for the Interior and will be handled through the proper channels.

Darko expressed that the government does not want the citizenship fee to be a barrier for diaspora members seeking to formalize their ties with Ghana. The matter was discussed during a diaspora engagement meeting in Accra, where participants tackled citizenship, investment, and initiatives to strengthen Ghana's relationship with its diaspora.

Imakhus Nzingah Okofu, known as Mama One Africa, questioned why the same fee applies to people with long-standing connections to Ghana. Living in Ghana since 1987, she argued that the fee would be particularly burdensome for someone who has lived in the country for over a decade, is married to a Ghanaian, and has invested significantly in Ghana.

Nathakie Kanban, a diaspora member in the US who became a Ghanaian citizen in 2019, also raised concerns, noting that the current fee is significantly higher than what she paid in 2019. Kanban questioned the fee in the context of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen ties with the African diaspora, especially while discussions on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade are ongoing.

Darko emphasized that the government's goal extends beyond mere citizenship acquisition, focusing on diaspora members with strong, long-term ties to Ghana, including those who have lived in the country for years, obtained residency, and are ready to invest and contribute to national development. The review of the citizenship fee is part of a broader discussion on how Ghana can encourage diaspora engagement while maintaining its citizenship requirements and processes.