The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed concerns regarding the nomination of a dual citizen for a position on the Supreme Court, stressing that individuals with dual citizenship should not hold key government roles, particularly as judges on the highest court.
President Akufo-Addo recently nominated Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, a dual citizen, along with Justice Sophia Essah, for the Supreme Court.
However, during the vetting process on Tuesday, August 12, Dr. Forson, who is a member of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, argued that Prof. Oppong’s dual citizenship disqualifies him from serving on the Supreme Court.
He insisted that Prof. Oppong must renounce his foreign citizenship before being considered for the position.
“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.”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, an NDC MP, pointed out the inconsistency in how dual citizens are treated. He referred to the disqualification of Gyakye Quayson, an NDC MP, from Parliament, even after he gave up his foreign citizenship.
Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, who is both Ghanaian and Canadian, could be the first dual citizen to serve on Ghana’s Supreme Court. This is possible because of a recent Supreme Court ruling that changed the law, allowing dual citizens to hold important government jobs, like Chief Justice and Chief Director.
The Supreme Court’s decision removed parts of the Citizenship Act that had previously prevented dual citizens from taking on key government roles, including positions like Chief Justice and Chief Director in ministries.
