Ghana permits dual citizenship. Ghana first legalised dual citizenship in 1996, replacing the 1992 act inserting Act 527 permitting citizens to hold a foreign citizenship in addition to citizenship of Ghana. In accordance with the Citizenship Act of 2002, Ghanaians who have acquired US Citizenship, are eligible to apply for dual citizenship.
The Citizenship Act (Act 591 of 2000) provides, among others, that, “A citizen of Ghana who acquires the citizenship of another country in addition to his Ghanaian citizenship shall notify in writing the acquisition of the additional citizenship to the Minister. As per latest Supreme Court ruling based on Citizenship Act 2022, it is no longer necessary to apply for dual citizenship certificate or card.
Report to Government can be done through dual citizenship application filed with Form 10 of the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Interior has the right to deny or approve dual citizenship applications. Upon successful processing of the Dual Citizenship application, the applicant will receive a Dual Citizenship certificate and a Dual Citizenship ID Card.
Children born in the foreign country to a ghanaian parent can claim ghanain citizenship. The ghanaian parent must have a valid Ghanaian passport for the child to be eligible.
Dual nationals of Ghana have to face some limitations such as barred from public positions and requiring a visa on foreign passport.
Under Ghanaian law, a holder of dual citizenship does not qualify to hold certain public positions including Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court, Ambassador or High Commissioner among others. Holders of dual citizenship cannot hold certain specified offices in Ghana, including the following:
- Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court
- Ambassador/High Commissioner
- Secretary to the Cabinet
- Chief of Defence Staff
- Inspector-General of Police
- Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service
- Commissioner, Value Added Tax Service
- Director of Immigration Service
- Director-General, Prisons Service
- Chief Fire Officer
- Chief Director of a Ministry
- Rank of Colonel in the Army or equivalent in other security services
- Any other public office that the Minister may prescribe by Legislative Instrument
Dual Nationals who elects to travel to Ghana with a Foreign Passport other than a Ghanaian passport or dual nationality card would automatically require an entry visa in view of the election to travel with a foreign passport only.
