Ghana Swears in New Citizens From Diaspora

New Ghanaian citizens taking the oath of allegiance in Accra

ACCRA – New citizens of Ghana took the oath of allegiance on Monday during a swearing-in ceremony held in Accra, marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora. Once a central hub in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Ghana has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for people of African descent seeking to reclaim their heritage and establish deeper ties with the continent.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ghana’s Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said the initiative was aimed at rebuilding connections between Africa and its global diaspora.

“We believe that reconnecting Africa and her diaspora heals historical wounds and unleashes new possibilities for global cooperation, cultural renewal, and economic transformation,” she said.

Over the past decade, Ghana has implemented policies recognising members of the historical African diaspora and facilitating their path to citizenship. According to officials, the country has sworn in about 1,000 new citizens since formally recognising the diaspora initiative ten years ago. For many participants, the ceremony represented more than simply completing a legal process.

New citizen Chauncia Willis Johnson said the moment carried deep personal meaning.

“I feel elated. I'm excited for the future,” Johnson said. “I'm excited for what I, my family, my friends, my loved ones who will join me, I'm excited for what we will pour into Ghana and also what we will learn at the feet of Ghanaians.”

Last month, the government announced a temporary suspension of new citizenship applications, saying it was reviewing the process to make it more efficient and accessible. Authorities have not yet indicated when the application process will reopen.

Officials say the reforms are intended to streamline the system while maintaining Ghana’s commitment to welcoming members of the diaspora seeking to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

Ghana swear diaspora citizenship