Ghana Right of Abode

Section 17 of Act 573 lets the Minister, on application and with the President's approval, grant the Right of Abode to two groups. The first is a Ghanaian by birth, adoption, registration or naturalisation within the meaning of the Citizenship Act who lost Ghanaian citizenship by acquiring a foreign nationality; such an applicant must produce the evidence the Minister requires of that loss. The second is a person of African descent in the diaspora.

The status is not open to people without a Ghanaian or African-descent link. Other foreign nationals settle through indefinite residence status.

A person of African descent in the diaspora is considered if he or she is of good character as attested by two Ghanaians who are notaries public, lawyers, senior public officers or another class approved by the Minister; has not been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment or more; is of independent means; is in the Minister's opinion capable of making a substantial contribution to Ghana's development; and is at least eighteen years old.

Former Ghanaians submit the completed form, two passport photographs, an application letter from the sponsor or applicant, the attestation by two Ghanaian notaries, lawyers or senior public officers with copies of their national IDs, a copy of the passport biodata and current residence permit pages, evidence of immovable property where applicable, the renunciation certificate, an autobiography, the birth certificate, a current police clearance from Ghana and the non-citizen ID card.

Applicants of African descent submit the form, an application letter from a sponsor or company, the two attestations, evidence of contribution to Ghana's economic development (share value, bank statements, audited accounts, jobs for Ghanaians), a current Ghanaian police report, the non-citizen ID card, company documents with three years of audited accounts, SSNIT returns and six years of personal and company tax clearance, and a medical report from the GIS Clinic.

Under L.I. 2512 the Right of Abode costs GHS 3,879 for other nationals and GHS 1,940 for Ghanaians with foreign passports. The application letter goes to the Comptroller-General, the fee is paid at the bank within GIS headquarters, and the 2022 client service charter gives six months as the standard time, reflecting the ministerial and presidential approval. Once granted, the holder may reside in Ghana permanently, enter without a visa and work or be employed without a work permit.