KINGSTON, Jamaica, Aug 6, CMC – Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama is calling for policies that would make it easier for people of African descent living outside Africa to return to the continent and pursue residency or citizenship opportunities.
Mahama said repatriation should be recognised as a right rather than an act of charity, compassion or goodwill.
“Repatriation is a right of all persons of African descent to return to the mother continent and settle or reside if they wish,” he said.
The Ghanaian leader made the remarks during a Special Joint Sitting of the Houses of Parliament in Jamaica, as part of his four-day State Visit to the island.
Mahama said Ghana had already taken steps in this direction through its Right of Abode Act, passed in 2000, which allows eligible members of the African diaspora to apply for the right to live in Ghana.
He also said Ghana is currently considering a new Homeland Return Bill that would codify residence and citizenship pathways for members of the global African family.
Mahama said he plans to champion the issue when he assumes the chairmanship of the African Union, advocating for African countries to adopt policies that guarantee the right of return for members of the African diaspora.
If adopted across Africa, such policies could establish new pathways for members of the global African diaspora to return to the continent and pursue residency or citizenship opportunities.
During his address, Mahama also highlighted the role of young people in shaping the future of Africa and the wider African diaspora.
“Our youth have inherited the courage of our ancestors… but they also possess opportunities that our ancestors could scarcely have imagined,” he said, pointing to advances in technology, access to knowledge and innovation.
He encouraged young people to create solutions, embrace innovation, build enterprises, use technology to solve problems and serve their communities.
Mahama said leaders have a responsibility to build societies based on quality education, equal opportunity, innovation, democratic governance and shared prosperity.
“If we succeed, the descendants of Africa will not merely have participated in shaping our future; they would have participated in leading it,” he said.
CMC/ed/2026