Ghana has announced the suspension of citizenship applications for individuals of African descent as government officials aim to reform a process that has faced criticism for being both expensive and overly complicated.
Since 2016, individuals who can prove their ancestral ties to Africa have been eligible to apply for Ghanaian citizenship. This initiative predominantly focused on descendants of victims of the transatlantic slave trade, and over 1,000 people have secured citizenship under this program, including notable figures such as the African American musician Stevie Wonder.
However, numerous applicants have expressed dissatisfaction with the application process, citing its complexity, stringent deadlines, and high fees.
Dr. Erieka Bennet, the ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, which advocates for relocation to Ghana, highlighted that many applicants struggled with fulfilling documentation requirements, particularly those related to DNA submissions.
In an interview with the BBC, she described the demand for DNA evidence to be submitted within a week of the application as "impossible" for most applicants, noting that some individuals even raised concerns about the accuracy of DNA testing.
Dr. Bennet also criticized the one-week deadline imposed for submitting any additional required documents, stating it was a significant barrier for many applicants.
Cost has also emerged as a critical issue; the initial fee for submission is set at $136 (£100), followed by an additional $2,280 (£1,700) for shortlisted candidates.
Following a successful application, candidates undergo a vetting process, attend a one-day citizenship orientation, and finally receive their nationality during a ceremony presided over by President John Mahama.
The Ghanaian government stated that the suspension aims to simplify and improve the accessibility of the citizenship process prior to its resumption.
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