Deputy Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson has said government must treat with urgency the Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill.
The Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill in Ghana aims to remove restrictions that prevent Ghanaians with dual nationality from holding certain public offices.
The bill seeks to allow greater participation of Ghanaians in the diaspora in the country’s governance.
Currently, dual citizens are barred from holding specific high-level positions like Ambassador, Chief of Defense Staff, and Inspector-General of Police, among others.
The Assin North MP explained that the Bill in its current form does a lot of disservice to the nation.
“I think that is why about three years ago, we did tabled Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill. This is something that we have to take very important as a nation because we look at our GDP and remittances from the Diaspora alone is one of the major contributors along with our gold and cocoa.
“And to just look at that and not tap into the world, the knowledge and the experience out there then we will be doing ourselves disservice. A lot of nations have recognized that,” he stressed during his vetting by the Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25, 2025.
He further pledged to ensure that the Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill is passed under his tenure.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25, 2025, he said the current legal challenges with dual citizenship in Ghana prevents some Ghanaians in the diaspora from becoming dual citizens.
The Assin North MP said when given the nod, he will work to ensure that visa processes for Ghanaians in the Diaspora are facilitated.
“I will work tirelessly along with my Minister to see how best we can pass Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill that will eradicate the challenges we are having but in the meantime before that goes into effect I will work with Minister Ablakwa to make sure that we can facilitate the process for them to get visa to come to Ghana.
“I will come back to Parliament with the amendment of the Dual Citizenship Bill so that most of our children can come back,” he stated.
Recounting his ordeal with his Dual Citizenship legal battle, he noted “Nobody should be going through what I went through.”
I will work tirelessly with my Minister to pass Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill – Gyakye Quayson
