The Pathfinder
Tuesday February 3, 2026
Please, share this story:
Ghana has temporarily suspended citizenship applications for people of African descent as authorities move to review and reform the process to make it more accessible and user-friendly.
Since 2016, Ghana has offered citizenship to members of the African diaspora who can trace their ancestry to the continent, a policy largely designed to reconnect descendants of victims of the transatlantic slave trade with their roots. Over 1,000 people have reportedly obtained Ghanaian citizenship under the programme, including renowned African American singer Stevie Wonder.
However, the process has attracted growing criticism over its complexity, cost, and documentation requirements. Applicants are required to submit DNA evidence and additional documents within a one-week window, a deadline many have described as unrealistic.
Dr. Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, said many applicants struggled with the tight timelines and questioned the reliability of DNA testing. She noted that the one-week deadline for submitting additional documentation was particularly difficult to meet.
Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the process. The initial application fee stands at 136 dollars, while shortlisted candidates are required to pay an additional 2,280 dollars. Successful applicants are vetted and attend a one-day citizenship orientation before receiving their nationality at a ceremony overseen by President John Mahama.
The Ghanaian government has said updated timelines and guidelines will be issued in due course, but did not provide a specific date for when applications will resume. The suspension has created uncertainty for prospective applicants who were planning relocations, investments, or long-term residency in the country.
Ghana’s outreach to Africans worldwide is rooted in its post-independence Pan-African vision championed by its first president, Kwame Nkrumah. The initiative was revitalised in 2019 during the “Year of Return,” which reignited global interest in reconnecting with the country.
Members of the diaspora continue to invest in sectors such as real estate, agriculture, technology, and small businesses, often seeking citizenship to enable property ownership, voting rights, and access to public services.
Other African countries, including Benin and Sierra Leone, also offer citizenship pathways for people of African descent based on verified ancestral ties.
This report is published by Newspot Nigeria.Digital advertising service
—————————————
We are here to serve you news and information.
Your donations, reactions and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999(WhatsApp)
idowuadelusi@gmail.com,thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)