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By Newz.Africa Desk | Accra, Ghana | 4 February 2026 | Ghana citizenship suspension.
Ghana has temporarily stopped Africans abroad from applying for citizenship under its special diaspora programme. The government says the pause is needed to improve the process. It has become costly, complex, and difficult for applicants to finish. Officials stress the suspension is temporary and does not change Ghana’s citizenship laws.
Why Ghana paused the programme
The diaspora citizenship route was first launched in 2016. It was widely promoted during the “Year of Return” campaign in 2019. This allowed people of African descent to obtain Ghanaian nationality by proving ancestral ties. More than 1 000 applicants, including African American musician Stevie Wonder, have gained citizenship through the programme.
Nonetheless, the government faced rising complaints about unrealistic timelines. Many applicants said they had to send DNA evidence and supporting documents within a week. Experts described this demand as “impossible” for people applying from outside Africa.
Applicants also raised concerns about DNA test reliability, high fees, and the complexity of the process. First applications cost about $136, while shortlisted applicants must pay an extra $2 280, excluding travel and document verification.
Technical challenges and high costs
Reports also cite technical issues with DNA submissions, inconsistencies in application guidance, and the number of stages required. These problems made the platform inaccessible for many members of the African diaspora hoping to reconnect with Ghana through citizenship.
Dr. Erieka Bennet of the Diaspora African Forum told the BBC that many applicants do not meet the DNA deadlines. They were unsure whether the required testing was precise. They also questioned its validity. She said the new system under development aims to fix these problems.
What remains open
The suspension affects only the special diaspora pathway. It does not affect citizenship by birth. It also does not affect descent through a Ghanaian parent, long-term naturalisation, dual citizenship registration, or Right of Abode permits. Officials say the programme will resume once revised guidelines are approved.
Similar initiatives exist in Benin and Sierra Leone, which also offer citizenship routes for people of African descent. Benin’s “My Afro Origins” programme continues to attract diaspora applicants and public figures.
Original Reporting
- Newz.Africa reviewed public statements from Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior confirming that the suspension is administrative and temporary.
- We verified application costs and process challenges from multiple independent reports.
Primary Artefact
Ghana government’s 1 February 2026 public notice announcing the temporary pause on diaspora citizenship applications (referenced in multiple news reports).
Sources
- Business Insider Africa report on suspension and applicant challenges.
- Sahara Reporters breakdown of the programme and DNA/documentation issues.
- Ghana Citizenship Team summary of government rationale and what remains unaffected.
- Ghanamma coverage of programme costs and parallels with Benin.
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