The Ministry of the Interior and the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President have announced the resumption of vetting for granting citizenship to the Historic Diaspora Community, following a temporary suspension that began on February 1, 2026.
In a press release issued on Monday, February 10, 2026, the Ministry stated that applicants will be scheduled in batches for vetting at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Cantonments, Accra, beginning Tuesday, February 11, 2026. Prospective applicants have been advised to wait for official notification of their vetting dates to avoid overcrowding at the facility.
The Ministry acknowledged that due to the high volume of applications and the limited timeframe ahead of the ceremonial swearing-in scheduled for March 5, 2026, not all applicants may be accommodated in this initial phase. However, authorities assured that the citizenship process remains open online and that no qualified applicant will be disadvantaged.
The announcement follows a brief suspension of the application process announced on February 1, 2026. At the time, the Ministry and Diaspora Affairs Office explained that the pause was intended to streamline the process, improve accessibility, and enhance the overall experience for applicants worldwide.
Authorities stressed that the suspension did not signal a withdrawal of Ghana’s commitment to welcoming members of the global African family, but rather a step to introduce improvements for a smoother application process. Officials indicated that revised timelines and updated guidelines would be shared through official channels.
The citizenship pathway for historic diasporans has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s broader diaspora engagement agenda, building on initiatives such as the Year of Return in 2019 and the Beyond the Return program. The initiative aims to strengthen ties between Ghana and members of the African diaspora who can prove Ghanaian ancestry.
Applicants are required to meet specific eligibility criteria, including being 18 years or older and providing evidence of Ghanaian ancestry through DNA testing. Accepted DNA testing companies include AncestryDNA, 23andMe, African Ancestry, and other genealogy services that can demonstrate genetic markers from Ghana and West Africa.
The application process involves document submission, payment of administrative fees, shortlisting, vetting, and participation in a one-day citizenship orientation class that covers Ghanaian history, civic responsibilities, the national anthem, and citizenship duties.
The process requires applicants to first pay an administrative fee of GHC1,500 during document submission. Shortlisted applicants are then notified by email or phone to pay the full application fee of GHC25,000 at the Ministry of the Interior headquarters. Authorities have warned applicants that fees must not be paid to any third parties to avoid scams.
The vetting location at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre holds symbolic significance as the final home of Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, one of history’s most prominent champions of civil rights and Pan-Africanism. Dr. Du Bois became a Ghanaian citizen in the 1960s and lived at the Cantonments residence until his passing in 1963.
The centre, which opened as a memorial and cultural research hub on June 22, 1985, houses Dr. Du Bois’s personal library, photographs, archives, and academic awards. The facility serves as a fitting venue for processing citizenship applications for historic diasporans seeking to reconnect with Ghana.
Ghana’s historic diaspora citizenship initiative has generated significant interest since its inception in 2016, with approximately 1,000 applications received. The program has attracted notable individuals, including legendary musician Stevie Wonder, who reportedly applied for citizenship.
The Year of Return initiative launched in 2019 generated an estimated 1.9 billion US dollars in tourism and investment revenue, according to government estimates. The broader diaspora engagement strategy has brought skilled professionals and significant capital investment into sectors such as technology and real estate.
The citizenship process grants successful applicants the critical right to own land in perpetuity, a security that foreigners restricted to 50-year leases do not enjoy. This provision has made the citizenship pathway particularly attractive to diaspora members seeking to establish permanent roots in Ghana.
The Diaspora Affairs Office is led by Director Kofi Okyere-Darko, while the Ministry of the Interior is headed by Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak. Both institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to the global African community and emphasized that Ghana remains eager to welcome historic diasporans home.
The ceremonial swearing-in on March 5, 2026, will be presided over by President John Dramani Mahama, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the African diaspora and fulfill the Pan-African vision articulated by founding President Kwame Nkrumah.
Applicants seeking further information or wishing to apply can visit the official citizenship portal or contact the Diaspora Affairs Office through authorized channels. The government has emphasized that all communications regarding vetting schedules and application status will be issued through official platforms to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent activities.