The Council of State has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin advising against passage of Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill which seeks to remove current restrictions on dual citizens from holding public positions.
Speaker Bagbin has referred the advisory opinion to the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, together with his personal opinion for consideration and report to the House.
Bagbin said the Council cited some constitutional issues. He is of the view there are some amendments that Parliament “is clothed with the powers” to undertake.
Council of State’s advice does not necessarily stop Parliament from going ahead to consider the Bill, knowing that it is a private member’s Bill.
The Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is seeking to remove restrictions affecting dual citizens seeking appointment to offices such as Ambassador or High Commissioner, Secretary to Cabinet, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police.
The bill has undergone its First Reading and has been referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee for consideration.
The Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill in Ghana aims to remove restrictions that prevent Ghanaians with dual nationality from holding certain public offices.
President John Dramani Mahama has thrown his weigh behind a constitutional review proposal to expand parliamentary participation for Ghanaians living abroad.
Speaking at a Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in London on Sunday [May 31, 2026], the President said ““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.”
President Mahama argued that Ghanaians living abroad should play a role in national development, describing the diaspora as Ghana’s “virtual region”.
“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region, which is our diaspora abroad,” he said.
By Christian Yalley
