Ghana’s Council of State has advised Parliament not to proceed with the passage of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a proposed law that seeks to remove constitutional restrictions preventing dual citizens from occupying certain public offices.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced the Council’s advisory opinion during proceedings in the House after formally receiving its recommendations. According to the Speaker, the bill was referred to the Council of State on March 30, 2026, in line with Article 291(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the Council to provide advice on proposed constitutional amendment bills before Parliament continues with deliberations.
The proposed amendment aims to revise constitutional provisions that currently bar Ghanaians with dual citizenship from holding specific high-ranking public offices, including positions such as Ambassador or High Commissioner, Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector-General of Police, and Secretary to the Cabinet. Supporters of the bill argue that qualified Ghanaians in the diaspora should be allowed to contribute fully to national development regardless of their citizenship status.
Addressing Members of Parliament, Speaker Bagbin disclosed that the Council of State had completed its review and advised against the bill’s passage. He noted that this recommendation represents a significant shift from the Council’s earlier position during the Eighth Parliament, when it supported the same constitutional amendment before Parliament was dissolved without completing the legislative process.
Despite the Council’s recommendation, the Speaker emphasized that its opinion is advisory rather than binding, meaning Parliament retains the constitutional authority to decide whether to proceed with the bill after considering the Council’s views. He described the Council’s advice as an important constitutional contribution intended to enrich parliamentary debate rather than determine the final legislative outcome.
The latest development is expected to reignite public debate over the role of dual citizens in Ghana’s governance and whether the Constitution should be amended to broaden eligibility for public office. Parliament is expected to continue deliberations on the bill in the coming weeks before making a final determination.
