Story: Yaw Takyi
Governance expert Professor Baffour Agyeman-Dua, has joined calls for persons with dual nationality to hold some key positions in Ghana.
On the promulgation of the 1992 constitution, clause (1) of article 8 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana prohibited citizens from holding dual citizenship. The prescription of in clause (1) of article 8 of the 1992 constitution was insufferable as it denied many citizens of Ghana the option to hold dual citizenship.
But the cries of the citizens subsequently led to a review of the provision. The constitution of the Republic (Amendment) Act, 1996 (Act527) was enacted to, amongst others, repeal article 8 of the 1992 constitution allowing Ghanaians to hold dual nationality but cannot occupy certain positions in the country such as, being an ambassador or high commissioner, secretary to the cabinet, chief of defence staff or any service chief, inspector general of police, director of immigration service , commissioner, customs, excise and preventive service and any office speciefied by an Act of parliament.
Reacting to the Amendment Bill, 2021 on ATV’s political show, ‘Kanawu’ on Saturday, June 17, 2023, Prof. Agyeman-Dua noted that it was high time the Amendment Bill was looked at again to allow the country to benefit from its rich human resources who live abroad.
According to the co-founder of CDD-GH, there was nothing wrong if persons with dual nationality were allowed to serve the country in any capacity.
“ We have lots of Ghanaians in the Diaspora who are ready to work for the country to grow but because of this law they are unable to come home and support our development agenda”, he said.
He claimed that “ even those Ghanaians living abroad have unquestionable loyalty as compared to those residing in the country”.
Prof. Agyeman-Dua further noted that the framers of the 1992 constitution was afraid that Ghanaians who went to exile during the military rule may stage coup if allowed to hold sensitive positions.
