President John Dramani Mahama has backed a constitutional review proposal to expand parliamentary participation for Ghanaians living abroad, saying the constitutional reforms currently under consideration could allow dual citizens to serve as members of parliament and ministers of state.
Speaking at a Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in London on Sunday [May 31, 2026], President Mahama said the legislation linked to the constitutional review process was before Parliament and was seeking to widen opportunities for Ghanaians who hold dual citizenship to take part in national governance.
“We currently have legislation before Parliament to review the 1992 Constitution to allow Ghanaians in the diaspora who hold other passports or dual passports to be able to participate in our politics at parliamentary and ministerial level,” he told the gathering.
His remark come as Parliament considers constitutional amendments that could remove restrictions preventing dual citizens from holding certain public offices.
The Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is seeking to remove restrictions affecting dual citizens seeking appointment to offices such as Ambassador or High Commissioner, Secretary to Cabinet, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police. The bill has undergone its First Reading and has been referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee for consideration.
President Mahama argued that Ghanaians living abroad should have a greater role in national development, describing the diaspora as Ghana’s “17th region”.
“We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region, which is our diaspora abroad,” he said.
He said remittances from Ghanaians abroad reached about US$7.8 billion last year, underlining the contribution of the diaspora to the country’s economy.
The question of whether dual citizens should be allowed to hold certain public offices has been debated in Ghana for many years. Supporters say the country should benefit from the skills and international experience of Ghanaians abroad, while opponents argue that questions of loyalty and national security must be carefully considered.
The issue drew renewed public attention following the legal and political disputes involving Assin North MP and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, James Gyakye Quayson, over citizenship matters linked to his election to Parliament.
Referring to Mr Quayson’s experience, President Mahama said he privately described the proposed reforms as the “Gyakye Quayson law”.
“I privately call it the Gyakye Quayson law because of the tribulations this man went through,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Quayson urged members of the Ghanaian diaspora to embrace the government’s vision of treating overseas Ghanaians as full partners in national development.
“I was like one of you not too long ago,” he told the audience. “Let’s take this business of calling the diaspora the 17th region very seriously.”
Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mrs Sabah Zita Benson, also called for stronger engagement between the state and Ghanaians living abroad, describing the diaspora as an important part of Ghana’s development efforts.
