Ghana has temporarily halted citizenship applications from descendants of Africans living overseas, a decision that has sparked debate about the country’s long-standing Pan-African agenda.
In a statement issued on Sunday, authorities in Accra said the pause is intended to overhaul the application system and make it “more accessible, efficient and user-friendly”. The move affects members of the African diaspora, a term commonly used to describe people who live outside their ancestral homelands but maintain cultural, emotional or social ties to them.
Analysts who spoke to Agence France-Presse said the suspension appears to be part of a broader review, including a possible reassessment of application fees and discussions around whether future applicants should be required to demonstrate proof of African ancestry.
Over the past decade, Ghana has actively branded itself as a gateway for the global African diaspora, often referring to the group as the nation’s “17th region”. Through initiatives such as the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, the country has encouraged descendants of enslaved Africans to reconnect with the continent.
However, some experts warn that tightening eligibility criteria could carry reputational risks. International relations analyst Ishmael Hlovor cautioned that stricter ancestry requirements may weaken Ghana’s inclusive image. “While reviewing processes is understandable, the new demands on the African diaspora to prove ancestry risk narrowing access to Ghana,” he told AFP. He added that such a shift could signal a move away from the country’s previously “very broad” definition of diaspora communities toward a more “selective” framework.
Others see the development as administrative rather than ideological. Erieka Bennet, head of the Diaspora African Forum, described the suspension as a temporary measure. “The suspension is basically saying that they are relooking at the process. It does not say it’s not going to happen,” she said.
Government officials have assured prospective applicants that the halt is not permanent, stating that processing will resume “shortly”, although no specific date has been announced. Ghana began granting citizenship to what it terms the “historical diaspora” in 2016, and since then has issued roughly 1,000 passports.
Recipients have included high-profile figures such as music icon Stevie Wonder and US media personality Yandy Smith. More recently, American influencer IShowSpeed was also granted Ghanaian citizenship following his tour of 20 African countries.
