The programme, introduced in 2016, allows people who can prove African ancestry to apply for Ghanaian nationality. It was designed primarily for descendants of Africans displaced during the transatlantic slave trade and forms part of the country’s broader effort to reconnect with the global African diaspora.
Since its launch, more than 1,000 people have acquired Ghanaian citizenship under the scheme, including prominent figures such as African American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. However, despite its symbolic and cultural significance, applicants and advocacy groups have raised concerns about procedural bottlenecks and financial barriers.
Some applicants have complained about the multiple stages involved in the process, particularly the requirement to submit DNA evidence within a strict one-week window after applying. Dr Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum—an organisation that assists members of the diaspora seeking to relocate to Ghana—said the timeline was unrealistic for most applicants.
According to Bennet, many applicants struggle to meet the deadline for submitting DNA results and other supporting documents within seven days, describing the requirement as “impossible” for many. She added that some applicants also questioned the reliability and consistency of DNA testing as a determinant of eligibility.
Cost has emerged as another major concern. Applicants are required to pay an initial application fee of $136 (£100). Those who are shortlisted must then pay an additional $2,280 (£1,700). Successful candidates are subjected to vetting procedures and must attend a one-day citizenship orientation before finally being granted nationality at a formal ceremony overseen by President John Mahama.
Despite the suspension, Bennet expressed optimism that the concerns raised would be addressed and that the application process would eventually resume in a more efficient and inclusive form.
The Ghanaian government has confirmed that the pause is intended to allow for a review of timelines and procedures. Officials said revised guidelines and updated timelines would be released “in due course,” although no specific timeframe has been provided.
The lack of clarity around when the programme will resume has caused uncertainty among potential applicants, particularly those planning relocations, property purchases or business investments in the country.
Ghana’s outreach to Africans in the diaspora is deeply rooted in its post-independence Pan-African philosophy, championed by the nation’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. That vision was reinvigorated in 2019 with the launch of the “Year of Return,” a global initiative aimed at encouraging people of African descent to reconnect with Ghana through tourism, investment and cultural exchange.
In recent years, diaspora Africans have become increasingly active in Ghana’s economy, investing in real estate, agriculture, technology and small businesses. Many seek Ghanaian citizenship to gain the right to own property, vote and access public services.
Ghana is not alone in offering citizenship pathways based on ancestral ties. Other West African countries, including Benin and Sierra Leone, have introduced similar initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with people of African descent worldwide through verified lineage and heritage-based programmes.