Ghana has temporarily suspended its citizenship application process for members of the African diaspora to make the system more accessible and user-friendly. Since 2016, individuals who can prove African ancestry, particularly descendants of those affected by the transatlantic slave trade, have been eligible to apply for Ghanaian nationality.

Over 1,000 people, including notable figures like American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, have successfully obtained Ghanaian citizenship in recent years. However, applicants have raised concerns over the complexity, multiple stages, and high costs associated with the process.

Dr Erieka Bennet, ambassador for the Diaspora African Forum, which supports relocation to Ghana, told the BBC that many applicants struggle to submit required DNA evidence within the one-week deadline and questioned the reliability of the tests. She noted that additional fees further complicate the process. The application costs $136, and shortlisted candidates are required to pay an additional $2,280 before attending a one-day citizenship orientation. Citizenship is formally granted during a ceremony overseen by President John Mahama.

The Ghanaian government has stated that updated timelines and guidelines will be issued in due course, although no specific timeframe has been provided. The temporary suspension has caused uncertainty for potential applicants planning relocation or investments in Ghana.

Ghana’s outreach to the African diaspora reflects its post-independence Pan-African vision championed by the country’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and was relaunched in 2019 as the Year of Return initiative. Diaspora members invest in sectors such as real estate, agriculture, technology, and small businesses, often seeking citizenship to access public services, vote, and legally own property.

Other African nations, including Benin and Sierra Leone, also provide citizenship to people of African descent based on verified ancestral ties.

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Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the initiative as a premium alternative to the traditional green card, claiming it would attract affluent investors worldwide. The program is set to launch in two weeks, with Trump suggesting that millions of these cards could be sold.

When asked if Russian oligarchs could purchase the card, Trump responded, “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that the new program would replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa scheme. The EB-5 program, introduced in 1992, currently requires foreign investors to commit at least $1,050,000—or $800,000 in targeted areas—to projects creating American jobs.

Lutnick assured that buyers would undergo rigorous vetting to ensure they meet U.S. standards as “world-class global citizens.”

Trump-affiliated businesses have previously utilized the EB-5 program to fund large-scale property developments. However, the EB-5 scheme faced bipartisan criticism for drifting from its original objectives.

In 2019, the Trump administration attempted to raise the program’s minimum investment threshold, but a federal court overturned the move in 2021. The Biden administration renewed the program in 2022, implementing the current investment requirements.

With the introduction of the “gold card,” Trump aims to revamp U.S. immigration options for wealthy investors, promising expedited citizenship and residency privileges.

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