Council of State Rejects Dual Citizenship Bill as Ghana Navigates Major Democratic and Economic Reforms

Ghana’s legislative landscape faces a significant turning point as the Council of State has formally advised Parliament against the passage of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill, which sought to amend Article 8(2) of the 1992 Constitution, aimed to allow dual citizens to hold sensitive public offices, including roles as Members of Parliament and military service chiefs. Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the Council’s non-binding advisory, noting a shift from the Council’s previous support during the Eighth Parliament. While proponents like President John Mahama argue the bill recognizes the modern economic contributions of the diaspora, the recommendation highlights ongoing legal sensitivities following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that struck down similar provisions in the Citizenship Act.

In tandem with these legislative debates, prominent political figures are pushing for deeper structural reforms to Ghana’s internal democracy. Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged the Supreme Court to utilize an ongoing constitutional case to reform the political party delegates system. The lawsuit, backed by figures such as Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, challenges the practice of limiting party primary participation to a small group of delegates. Kennedy argues that the current system is opaque and susceptible to the influence of money, violating Article 55(5) of the Constitution which mandates that political parties be democratic and transparent in their internal organization.

On the economic front, the government is pivoting toward a production-driven model to address stagnation and unemployment. Senior Presidential Advisor Augustus Goosie Tanoh recently detailed the "24-Hour Economy" strategy, which focuses on industrialization, renewable energy, and value addition to reduce reliance on raw material exports. This vision, however, faces scrutiny regarding its implementation and impact on the average worker. Former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has warned that the economy cannot transform without addressing livable wages, noting that paying workers insufficient salaries cripples the domestic market and productivity. He emphasized that Ghana requires a growth rate of 10-12% for meaningful change, rather than the current 4%.

These domestic efforts toward reform and growth are occurring against a backdrop of complex international relations and fiscal management. While Professor Godfred Bokpin of the University of Ghana praised the government's early settlement of a US$700 million Eurobond obligation as a boost for investor confidence, he cautioned that immediate relief for citizens remains unlikely due to heavy fiscal constraints. Simultaneously, Ghana has expressed reluctance toward new, conditional US healthcare aid that prioritizes American pharmaceutical interests and requires extensive data sharing. As Municipal Chief Executive Francis Akumatey Addo recently emphasized during a National Day of Prayer, the success of these various national initiatives ultimately hinges on a collective shift toward integrity, accountability, and civic responsibility.