Ghana has temporarily suspended applications for citizenship under its diaspora programme as authorities review concerns about costs, documentation requirements, and processing timelines.
The decision affects individuals seeking Ghanaian nationality based on ancestral ties to the African continent. The initiative, introduced in 2016, was designed to reconnect the country with descendants of Africans displaced during the transatlantic slave trade.
Several applicants have raised challenges with the application process, particularly the requirement to submit DNA test results and other supporting documents within a short timeframe. According to Dr Erieka Bennet of the Diaspora African Forum, which supports relocation efforts to Ghana, many applicants found the deadline unrealistic, while others questioned the dependability of DNA testing as proof of ancestry.
Financial barriers have also drawn criticism. Applicants are required to pay an initial fee of $136, with shortlisted candidates paying an additional $2,280 before completing vetting procedures and a mandatory citizenship orientation programme.
Successful applicants are formally granted citizenship during a state ceremony presided over by President John Mahama.
Government officials say the suspension is temporary and that revised guidelines and timelines will be announced after the review process is completed.
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