Ghana will benefit from removal of dual-citizens prohibition – Prof. Stephen Asare
A Fellow of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in Public Law and Justice, Professor Kwaku Asare, argues that Ghana is set to benefit economically from the removal of prohibitions on dual citizens from occupying public offices.
According to him, the removal of these prohibitions would attract Ghana’s diaspora to return to the country and contribute their quota to the development of the country.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he said a repeal of the law would help stabilize and encourage remittances and return migration.
“Ghana is a net exporter of skilled labour and we have to be aware of that, and we have to have return-friendly policies that attract this skilled labour and their wealth back to the country.
“A repeal of the law, that is, allowing people who are dual-citizens to hold public offices would encourage and stabilize both remittances and return migration,” he said.
Currently, dual citizens are prohibited from occupying certain public offices including the office of Special Prosecutor, Inspector General of Police, an MP, Cabinet Minister, and President.
This, the Accounting professor based in the United States is opposing.
Prof. Asare added that the removal of the prohibition would also facilitate the use of financial vehicles like a Diaspora Bond to encourage diaspora investment in Ghana’s economy.
“Furthermore, it will facilitate the use of vehicles like Diaspora bonds which countries like Nigeria and Israel have put to good effect.
“But the reason they’ve put to good effect is they’ve not categorised their dual-citizens as disloyal, they have embraced them and by embracing them, it is much easier to then go to them and say ‘Well come and invest in the country, buy Diaspora bonds and so on and so forth.”
Currently, a private member’s bill is before Parliament to remove the prohibition of dual citizens from holding certain public offices.
Source: Ghana News
