Rawlings Orders Consultation on Chimps Project

President Jerry John Rawlings today directed the Minister of Lands and Forestry to initiate consultations with the relevant bodies and concerned groups on the proposal by the U.S.-based organization, Friends of Animals, to settle a number of chimpanzees in the Volta Region.

An official statement issued by Nana Opoku Acheampong, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, said the traditional authorities would be part of the consultations, which would also cover the review of the environmental impact assessment of the project.

It said that the outcome of the consultations and the appropriate recommendations are to be submitted to the office of the president within the next three weeks. 

Ghana’s Dual Citizenship- A Step Closer

Dual Citizenship Bill Has Bi-Partisan Support in Ghana’s Parliament

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader of the House and Chairman of the Business Committee has presented a Citizenship Bill to Ghana's Parliament.

The first of its kind in African history, this bill will, among other innovations, provide for dual citizenship and grant the "right of abode" to Diasporan Africans.

The aforementioned legislative proposal that seeks to replace the Ghana Nationality Act, 1971 (Act 361) has the support of several members of parliament. Dr Alex Ababio, NDC-South Dayi, described the bill as "far-reaching" and said it is good that dual citizenship has been considered. He noted that there are many children who were born outside Ghana to Ghanaian parents. He added, "such children can now see clearly where they want to belong".

Speaking in favor of the provision for dual citizenship, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, the Minority Spokesman on Finance, said a number of Ghanaians resident abroad, who are prepared to make significant contributions to the national economy, can now do so, since it gives them the opportunity to maintain their citizenship. In his contribution, the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. J.H. Mensah, called for a special dispensation for Africans in the Diaspora who want to acquire Ghanaian citizenship under the "right of return".

The MP for Offinso South, Mr. Francis Kwasi Buor, also said that the bill will give recognition to the dual nationality of Ghanaians outside the country, thus encouraging them to support the national development effort more positively.

Presenting a motion for the second reading of the bill, the Minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio, told the House that the greatest area of controversy is the issue of citizenship by birth. This, according to him, is because citizenship by birth is a condition one acquires, if the law permits, on the date of birth.

However, determination of citizenship by birth has always been a problem, caused by the country's colonial past, and the changes in the legal conditions that have applied at different periods in its history. He emphasized that in order not to sweep aside any citizenship legally acquired and existing, it has become necessary to state the law as it relates to citizenship by birth at a given period in time.

Winding up the debate, Nii Okaija thanked the House for the 'overwhelming' support that they have given to the bill. "It can be resolved by reverence to nation state and sovereignty", he said.

It may be recalled that on several occasions many Ghanaian organizations in the United States including the National Council of Ghanaians Associations have voiced their support for a dual citizenship legislation.