"Renounce your Canadian citizenship" - Minority to 'dual citizen' Supreme Court nominee

The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has raised concerns over the nomination of a dual citizen for a Supreme Court position, emphasizing that such individuals should not be eligible for key governmental roles, especially as judges on the highest court.

President Akufo-Addo recently nominated Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, a dual citizen, alongside Justice Sophia Essah, for the Supreme Court. However, during the vetting process on Tuesday, August 12, Dr. Forson, a member of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, argued that Prof. Oppong's dual citizenship disqualifies him from serving on the Supreme Court.

Dr. Forson asserted that Prof. Oppong must relinquish his foreign citizenship before being considered for the role. "The Constitution, in Article 156(1), clearly requires an oath of allegiance, which the Supreme Court has interpreted as tied to nationality," Dr. Forson explained. "In my view, you do not qualify, and I believe you must renounce your citizenship to be eligible for the position of a Supreme Court judge."

Adding to the discussion, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ellembelle, highlighted the inconsistency of disqualifying the NDC MP for Assin North, Gyakye Quayson, from Parliament even after he had renounced his foreign citizenship.

Prof. Oppong, who holds dual Ghanaian-Canadian citizenship, could become the first dual citizen to serve on Ghana's Supreme Court. This follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned certain provisions of the Citizenship Act, thereby allowing dual citizens to hold positions such as Chief Justice and Chief Director.

The Supreme Court's decision, passed by a majority, struck down sections of the Citizenship Act that previously barred dual citizens from holding key government positions, including roles like Chief Justice, Commissioner of the Value Added Tax Service, and Chief Director of a Ministry.