The PALI Center for Transformative Society has expressed its support for the Council of State’s stance on the proposed Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill in Ghana.
In a statement dated July 14, 2026, the think tank emphasized the importance of exercising caution with constitutional reforms related to citizenship and public office eligibility.
The Center highlighted past challenges with implementing similar policies, citing the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act of 2006, which aimed to give voting rights to Ghanaians abroad but faced significant hurdles over the years.
They acknowledged the valuable contributions of Ghanaians with dual citizenship, especially in areas like remittances, investments, and expertise. However, they posed a key policy question: why not encourage individuals with dual citizenship to voluntarily renounce foreign allegiance if they wish to hold sensitive public offices, as currently required under the Constitution?
The Center reiterated that constitutional safeguards are vital to maintaining national sovereignty, preventing divided loyalties, and safeguarding security and public trust. They called for broad stakeholder consultation and careful consideration of long-term implications before any amendments are made.
Overall, they aligned with the Council of State’s counsel, urging Parliament to prioritize the broader national interest in this matter.
Below is the full statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026
FROM: PALI CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE SOCIETY TO: EDITORS-IN-CHIEFS, NEWS EDITORS, SENIOR EDITORS, AND RECOGNIZED MEDIA HOUSES AND NEW AGENCIES
PALI Center for Transformative Society Backs the Council of State’s Position on the Dual Citizenship Bill The PALI Center for Transformative Society welcomes and supports the counsel of the Council of State regarding the proposed Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill, as officially communicated by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on Tuesday July 7, 2026. As a public policy think tank committed to promoting transformational leadership, sound governance, and sustainable national development, we consider the Council of State’s position to be both prudent and timely.
While the proposed amendment may appear attractive in principle, public policy must ultimately be assessed not merely by its theoretical appeal but by its practical implications and long-term consequences. Experience has consistently demonstrated that there is often a significant gap between legislative intent and implementation.
A notable example is the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2006 (Act 699), commonly known as ROPAA. Enacted with the notable objective of extending voting rights to eligible Ghanaians living abroad, the Act has, for more than two decades, faced considerable legal, administrative, logistical, and financial challenges that have impeded its full implementation.
This experience highlights the importance of exercising caution before introducing constitutional and legislative reforms whose practical outcomes remain uncertain. The PALI Center for Transformative Society acknowledges the invaluable contributions of Ghanaians with dual citizenship to national development through remittances, investments, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, and professional expertise.
Their role in Ghana’s socioeconomic development is both significant and commendable. However, we respectfully pose a fundamental policy question: if an individual genuinely desires to occupy a public office that requires undivided allegiance to the Republic of Ghana, what prevents that individual from voluntarily renouncing his or her foreign citizenship, as currently required under the Constitution, in order to satisfy the eligibility criteria?
The existing constitutional provisions do not permanently exclude dual citizens from public service; rather, they require a clear demonstration of exclusive allegiance before assuming certain sensitive public offices. The concerns that informed the framers of the 1992 Constitution, including the possibility of divided allegiance, potential national and human security implications, conflicts of interest, diplomatic complexities, and questions of public accountability, remain relevant today.
Indeed, in an increasingly interconnected and geopolitically complex world, these concerns may be even more compelling than they were at the time the Constitution was drafted. Constitutional safeguards governing eligibility for certain public offices should not be viewed as discriminatory barriers but as deliberate mechanisms designed to preserve national sovereignty, protect the public interest, and ensure that holders of strategic constitutional offices owe undivided loyalty to the Republic of Ghana.
While we remain open to broader national dialogue on constitutional reform, we believe that any amendment affecting questions on citizenship, allegiance, and eligibility for public office must be approached with utmost caution, broad stakeholder consultation, and a clear appreciation of its long-term constitutional, governance, and national security implications.
The PALI Center for Transformative Society therefore aligns itself with the Council of State’s counsel and urges Parliament to carefully consider the broader national interest before proceeding with any amendment to the existing constitutional provisions on dual citizenship and eligibility for public office.
Signed: Chief Icon Frank Papa Kwabena Kumi
Policy Strategist and Lead Director
PALI Center for Transformative Society Tel: 0243870366 | 0201448362
