In a vibrant ceremony at the Accra International Conference Centre yesterday, the Government of Ghana formally conferred citizenship on 155 individuals from the African diaspora, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with descendants of Africans across the globe.
The new citizens, a diverse group adorned in a mix of traditional and formal attire, waved miniature Ghanaian flags as they took the Oath of Allegiance. The oath, administered by Her Honour Annette Sophia Essel, a Circuit Court Judge, formally pledged their loyalty to the Republic of Ghana.
The event was graced by the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who presented the certificates of citizenship alongside other government officials. The ceremony was attended by ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from the diaspora community.
In her keynote address, Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang described the conferment as far more than a routine legal process. She characterized it as a “powerful declaration of identity, history, and belonging,” symbolizing the unbreakable bond between Africa and its descendants worldwide.
“The history of the transatlantic slave trade remains one of the darkest chapters in human civilisation,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated. She affirmed Ghana’s principled stance in leading efforts at the United Nations to have the Transatlantic Slave Trade formally recognized as a grave crime against humanity. “Our government is leading efforts at the United Nations to secure that recognition, not as an act of symbolism, but as a commitment to truth, remembrance, justice and restoration for peoples of African descent everywhere,” she added.
The Vice-President emphasized that the act of granting citizenship serves as a statement of recognition and welcome to those whose ancestral lines were disrupted by the slave trade. She described it as an “act of historical restoration and moral reconnection,” reaffirming Ghana’s place as a permanent home for the global African family.
Beyond the profound historical and emotional significance, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the immense value the diaspora brings, calling it “one of the greatest reservoirs of talent, knowledge, innovation and economic strength available to the continent.” She noted the billions of dollars in annual contributions through remittances, investments, and entrepreneurship. However, she stressed that the relationship is not solely economic, but must be “rooted in identity, belonging and shared destiny.” She outlined the government’s commitment to a comprehensive Diaspora Engagement Policy designed to transform these historical connections into practical partnerships in investment, education, innovation, and tourism.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, explained that the ceremony marked the culmination of a transparent and credible legal process consistent with Ghana’s laws. He noted that the conferment grants new citizens the full rights and protections under Ghanaian law, along with the corresponding responsibilities.
Reinforcing the nation’s commitment, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak referred to the diaspora as the country’s “17th region” and Africa’s “sixth region,” whose expertise and connections are vital to national development. He cited initiatives like the Year of Return and the Beyond the Return campaign as part of a broader strategy to build structured partnerships, including the Diaspora Birthright Certificate framework. “Ghana is, therefore, proud to play a leading role in reconnecting Africa with its global family,” he concluded, “demonstrating that citizenship can serve not only as a legal status but also as a bridge linking history, identity and a shared future.”
The ceremony concluded with a sense of excitement and historic purpose, as the 155 new Ghanaian citizens formally embarked on this new chapter of their shared heritage.
