The Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency, Mr. Gyakye Quayson, has proposed to Parliament to amend the constitution’s provision on dual-citizenship holders to not assume public posts.
In the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, a person who holds dual citizenship cannot become a member of parliament or hold any other public offices.
In the last Parliament under the just ended Akuffo-Addo government, a bill was presented to amend the constitutional provision on dual citizenship. However, it was not passed before the House of that administration expired.
Mr. Gyakye Quayson who made the statement on the floor of parliament, was prosecuted for allegedly being elected as a Member of Parliament while holding a dual citizenship. According to him, it is time for a change in the law.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, Black History Month allows us to reflect on the perseverance of our people throughout history. Slavery, institutional racism, and the ongoing fight for equality. Africa, despite being rich in natural resources, remains paradoxically underdeveloped, due to centuries of exploitation, colonization, and unfair global systems. I stand here not as a victim of political challenges but as a testament to the resilience of every Ghanaian who believes in the power of democracy and justice.”
According to him, “the fight against dual citizenship restrictions and political ambition is not a personal battle but a national conversation. Our constitution, while a beacon of democracy must evolve to reflect the global realities of our people. How do we marginalize those who have sought better opportunities abroad, yet remain deeply connected to Ghana? How do we exclude them from leadership when their hearts, skills and resources, are dedicated to building our nation.”
While addressing Parliament, Mr. Gyakye Quayson called on the Speaker, to fast-track the passing of the amendment bill on dual citizens holding public offices.
“Mr. Speaker, it is important that we expedite action on this passage of the dual citizenship amendment bill,” he argued. Other Members of Parliament also expressed their take on Mr. Quayson’s submission.
However, some Members of Parliament suggested that should the bill be passed, then dual citizens should also perform certain responsibilities and duties as the citizens of Ghana.
“I believe that there is also a gourmet of other duties we have to examine. One of them that I am also passionate about is the question of taxation, so that if you are dual citizen and you are entitled to be a member of parliament; you are entitled to be a Chief Justice and you are earning your income from say, the United Kingdom, the Ghanaian tax regime should be able to catch up with you as well,” another MP expressed.
Any dual citizen who seeks to be a member of parliament in Ghana must first renounce his or her allegiance to the country from which they hold the second citizenship.
Dual citizenship holders cannot become ministers or hold other public offices, until they renounce their citizenship to the other country. The rationale is that a person who holds dual citizenship will not be able to wholeheartedly serve his or her mother country, when there is conflict of interest.
Source: Dehotpress
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