A coalition of diaspora organizations has submitted a sweeping petition calling for urgent reform of Ghana’s citizenship pathway, including the suspension of a newly imposed GH¢25,000 fee and the creation of permanent diaspora representation.

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A coalition of Historic Diaspora organizations has submitted a formal petition to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, demanding urgent and comprehensive reform of the country’s citizenship framework for descendants of Africans displaced through the transatlantic slave trade.

The petition, published on Change.Org and addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, alleges that Ghana’s current citizenship processes have been “unpredictable, costly, poorly communicated, and lacking in meaningful representation,” contradicting the nation’s stated commitment to Pan-African leadership and reparative justice.

“We, the undersigned Historic Diasporans, Ghanaians, residents, descendants of those displaced through enslavement, and supporters of reparative justice, respectfully submit this petition to call for urgent reform,” the document states.

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A Problematic 2026 Citizenship Process

The petition, supported by organizations including The Black Agenda, the African American Association of Ghana, the Ghana Caribbean Association, the Rastafari Council of Ghana, and the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Foundation, points to the 2026 citizenship process as a flashpoint for deeper structural failures.

Concerns raised include:

• A newly imposed non-refundable GH¢25,000 citizenship application fee per person — where initially there was no fee at all
• Late communication, with some applicants reportedly receiving as little as two days’ notice
• Background-check requirements that many experienced as “blunt instruments of exclusion”
• DNA and other evidentiary hurdles in a process that should be grounded in reparative justice
• Families being affected, with some unable to proceed together

Although between 2,000 and 3,000 people expressed interest in the process, only approximately 150 completed it successfully, a figure the petitioners argue demonstrates that “the system as presently structured excludes many of the very people Ghana claims to welcome.”

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Eighteen Specific Demands for Reform

The petition outlines eighteen specific demands, including:

1. Create a Historic Diaspora Citizenship and Inclusion Advisory Council with real seats at the table, where Historic Diaspora representatives are selected or elected by their own communities rather than appointed externally.

2. Establish permanent Historic Diaspora representation within government structures, with accountable, constituency-mandated representatives selected by Historic Diasporans themselves.

3. Include qualified Historic Diasporans within Diaspora Affairs and other relevant state institutions.

4. Suspend the GH¢25,000 citizenship fee immediately, pending review, and replace it with “a fair, accessible, and restorative framework.”

5. Create a family-inclusive pathway allowing spouses, children, and households to proceed together without division through cost or procedural design.

6. Integrate the history of enslavement and the Historic Diaspora into the Ghana Education Service curriculum.

7. Establish a permanent, published, year-round citizenship pathway rather than relying on “surprise announcements, ceremonial deadlines, or narrow event-driven windows.”

8. Require a mandatory minimum notice period of 90 days for any major changes in fees, requirements, or deadlines.

9. Permanently remove DNA as a blanket or default requirement, accepting alternative forms of evidence including historical, genealogical, documentary, communal, cultural, and testimonial evidence.

10. Reform police-clearance and criminal-record requirements to be individualized, transparent, and proportionate rather than blanket exclusions.

11. Establish a coordinated support framework where repatriation services take operational lead, with government providing recognition, policy backing, and institutional coordination.

12. Publish a clear appeals and review process with written reasons for denials and a fair mechanism for reconsideration.

13. Ensure multilingual and inclusive access for the full Historic Diaspora, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Francophone, and Lusophone communities.

14. Develop verified systems and safeguards for diaspora investment, relocation, and settlement, leaning on Historic Diasporan experts.

15. Encourage Historic Diaspora participation in key sectors of national development, including tourism, agriculture, education, technology, and housing.

16. Convene a formal national Town Hall within 30 days of receipt of the petition, focused on concrete policy reform rather than symbolism alone.

17. Establish a multi-stakeholder working group to guide reform and implementation.

18. Promote Pan-African education and public engagement that moves “beyond symbolism toward substantive structural change.”

‘Not a Request for Charity’

The petitioners are explicit about their intentions and their critique.

“This petition is therefore not a request for charity,” the document states. “It is a call for Ghana to align practice with principle. It is a call to move from symbolic connection to a structured, fair, transparent, and policy-driven system worthy of Ghana’s stated commitment to reparative justice and Pan-African leadership.”

The petition also challenges what it describes as the gap between rhetoric and reality. While Ghana has positioned itself as a welcoming home for descendants of those violently removed from the continent, the signatories argue that “symbolic gestures and language, including references such as a ’17th region,’ may have rhetorical value, but they are not enough.”

“We are not asking to be included from the margins,” the petitioners write. “We are calling for a structured, fair, and representative system that reflects Ghana’s own stated ideals, strengthens its global leadership, and makes citizenship, belonging, and national inclusion real in practice.”

Immediate Actions Requested

The petitioners have requested:

• Formal acknowledgment of the petition upon receipt
• Immediate review of the 2026 citizenship process and related diaspora policies
• A written public response within 30 days stating what reforms will be undertaken, on what timeline, and through which institutions
• Ongoing structured collaboration with Historic Diaspora stakeholders as reforms are developed and implemented

The petition has been copied to the Office of Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry for the Interior, Parliament’s Committee on Petitions, and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Global Implications

Ghana has long been at the forefront of African nations seeking to reconnect with the Historic Diaspora. The country’s “Year of Return” in 2019 and subsequent “Beyond the Return” initiative drew thousands of visitors and would-be repatriates from the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean.

However, this petition — signed by a coalition of diaspora organizations with direct experience of the process — suggests that administrative frameworks have not kept pace with political rhetoric. For other African nations considering similar diaspora engagement or citizenship-by-heritage programs, Ghana’s experience offers a cautionary tale about the gap between welcoming symbolism and exclusionary practice.

The petition’s emphasis on reparative justice also situates the issue within broader global conversations about slavery reparations, historical accountability, and the rights of descendants of displaced peoples — a debate that has gained traction in Caribbean nations, the United States, and at the United Nations.

As of the publication of this story, the presidency has not issued a formal response to the petition. The petitioners have requested a written public response within 30 days.

For the approximately 150 Historic Diasporans who successfully navigated the 2026 process, citizenship has been granted.

But for the thousands more who were interested — and for the coalition now demanding systemic reform, the fight for a fair, transparent, and truly restorative pathway to belonging in Ghana is only beginning.

Discussions in Seattle covered fleet acquisition, maintenance partnerships, aviation training, and capacity development as Ghana seeks to position Accra as West Africa’s ‘gateway’.

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Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith, has held high-level discussions with executives at Boeing in Seattle, Washington, as part of efforts to explore strategic partnerships to revive Ghana’s national carrier — with a particular focus on securing appropriate fleet equipment.

The engagement was part of the Ambassador’s ongoing drive to deepen economic and commercial cooperation between Ghana and leading American industries, while positioning Ghana as a competitive aviation and transportation hub in West Africa.

‘We Would Appreciate a Partnership With Boeing’

During the meeting, Ambassador Smith underscored the importance of a strong and efficient national airline in supporting Ghana’s trade, tourism, investment, and connectivity ambitions under the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.

“We would appreciate a partnership with Boeing in securing appropriate equipment to ensure that the rebirth of a national carrier does not elude us,” he stated.

He stated that the re-establishment of a national airline would not only strengthen Ghana’s global connectivity but also stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and reinforce Ghana’s position as the gateway to West Africa.

Technical Talks Cover Fleet, Maintenance, and Training

The discussions explored several concrete areas of collaboration, including:

• Fleet acquisition – securing appropriate aircraft for the revived carrier
• Technical support – engineering and operational assistance
• Aviation training – building local expertise and capacity
• Maintenance partnerships – establishing or enhancing domestic maintenance capabilities
• Broader capacity development – strengthening Ghana’s overall aviation ecosystem

These technical talks represent a significant step beyond political declarations, moving toward operational planning for a national airline that successive Ghanaian governments have attempted to launch following the collapse of Ghana Airways and later Ghana International Airlines.

Boeing Sees ‘Tremendous Potential’ in Ghana

The Boeing team welcomed the engagement and expressed optimism about the prospects of Ghana’s aviation sector. Senior Manager Rachel Peterson noted that Boeing sees significant opportunity within the Ghanaian aviation market.

“We believe the Ghanaian aviation market has tremendous potential to serve as an engine for economic growth, and we appreciate the opportunity to share how Boeing could support the development of a national carrier. We look forward to continuing the conversations we had,” Peterson said.

Her comments reflect a broader strategic interest from American aerospace manufacturers in Africa’s growing air travel demand, as the continent’s middle class expands and intra-African connectivity improves under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Positioning Accra as West Africa’s Gateway

Ambassador Smith reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to building strong partnerships with global industry leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to the country’s modernisation and infrastructure aspirations.

The push for a national carrier comes as Ghana seeks to challenge established regional aviation hubs in Lagos, Abidjan, and Dakar. Proponents argue that a well-managed, commercially viable flag carrier could:

• Boost tourism by improving direct international connections
• Facilitate trade through passenger and cargo capacity
• Create thousands of direct and indirect jobs
• Enhance Ghana’s attractiveness for foreign investment

Broader Diplomatic and Economic Push

The visit to Boeing forms part of a broader series of engagements by the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., aimed at attracting investment, strengthening strategic partnerships, and promoting Ghana’s long-term economic transformation agenda.

Earlier this week, the government formally launched a search for strategic investors to establish a new national airline, setting an ambitious timeline that could see the carrier fully operational by the first quarter of 2027. The Boeing discussions complement that investor search, with fleet acquisition being a critical component of any successful launch.

What Comes Next

While no formal agreement has been announced, the Seattle talks signal that Ghana is serious about securing the equipment and technical backing needed to revive its national carrier.

Boeing’s expressed interest suggests that the American aerospace giant views Ghana as a promising market for future growth.

Ambassador Smith has not disclosed a timeline for the next round of discussions, but his office indicated that engagement with Boeing will continue as part of Ghana’s broader aviation ambitions.

For now, the message from Seattle is clear: Ghana is open for business, and it is looking to American partners to help get its national carrier off the ground.

A 39-year-old award-winning radio presenter from Durban has emerged as the unlikely leader of March-on-March, the anti-immigrant group behind the latest wave of attacks targeting African nationals across South Africa.

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South Africans are currently up in arms, demonstrating and demanding that other African nationals who are in their country “illegally” leave because they are “stealing” jobs meant for their people.

These protests have resulted in violent confrontations with foreign nationals from across the continent, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, who are often brutalised and have their businesses vandalised.

The protests have also been captured driving foreign nationals out of South African public schools and health facilities.

But who is behind these protests, which have happened almost every year for the past decade? The answer is Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a 39-year-old mother, media personality, and the founder of an anti-illegal immigrant group called March-on-March.

From Radio Studio to Political Activism

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is a radio presenter based in Durban, best known for hosting “The Cruise” on Vuma FM. Her broadcasting career spans multiple stations, including Vibe FM, Inanda FM, and Gagasi FM. In 2020, she won the Best Female Radio Presenter award at the KZN Entertainment Awards — a testament to her influence and reach in South African media.

Yet it is not her radio work that has brought her international attention. In 2024, Ngobese-Zuma established March-on-March, a group created to “bring some spotlight to the issue of illegal immigration in South Africa” and to demand that South African citizens be prioritised in healthcare and public services.

Since its founding, March-on-March has grown from a local advocacy group into a national movement, organising protests that have drawn condemnation from leaders across the African continent, who describe the attacks as either “xenophobia” or “afrophobia”.

The Group’s Demands

Ngobese-Zuma’s March-on-March is currently advocating for three core policy objectives:

1. Enhanced Border Control and Immigration Enforcement
The group is demanding stricter enforcement of immigration regulations in South Africa, which it says is necessary to protect national security and ensure fair resource allocation.

2. Job Prioritisation for South African Citizens
March-on-March is fighting for policies that prioritise South African citizens in job markets and ensure fair employment opportunities without unfair competition from undocumented workers — a direct response to longstanding grievances about foreign nationals “stealing jobs.”

3. Protection of Public Services
The group is campaigning to ensure that public services — healthcare, education, and social benefits — remain accessible to South African citizens without being strained by undocumented migration.

‘We Are Not Xenophobic’

In a recent interview, Ngobese-Zuma forcefully refuted assertions that the actions of her movement amount to xenophobia or afrophobia. Instead, she accused foreign nationals of being responsible for the high rate of crime in South Africa, adding that they are also serving as cheap labour and taking over jobs meant for the people of her country.

“We’re coming under attack from all across Africa for standing up for ourselves. And the quickest thing that they do, these other people from outside of South Africa, is to label us as xenophobic. You know, people who are not even in South Africa, who don’t even know what we’re going through, they don’t want to listen to what we’re complaining about,” she said.

“We’ve lived with people from outside South Africa, actually, for 32 years, 32 years in millions and millions of them, but if you walk right down the road, you’ll find that they now are taking over buildings, there’s prostitution, there’s drugs, there’s cartels, there’s mafias. Everything in this country is a fertile ground for criminals to thrive,” she fumed.

She added:

“So we’re not getting the best of the best when it comes to immigrants. We’re getting those immigrants who are running away from their countries because they know that they are criminal elements, and our government is just letting them be because they want to paint them as victims. They’re not victims.”

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A Decade of Recurring Violence

The story notes that these protests have happened “almost every year for the past decade,” indicating a chronic pattern of xenophobic violence in South Africa. From the 2015 attacks on foreign nationals to the 2019 Johannesburg unrest and now the 2026 March-on-March-led protests, the country has struggled to contain waves of anti-immigrant sentiment.

Leaders across the African continent, from Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama to the African Union Commission, have repeatedly condemned these attacks. However, Ngobese-Zuma and her followers remain unmoved, arguing that African leaders do not understand the lived reality of ordinary South Africans.

What This Means for African Nationals

For Ghanaians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and other African nationals living in South Africa, March-on-March represents a direct threat. The group’s rhetoric has translated into action: businesses vandalised, individuals assaulted, and foreign nationals driven out of public facilities.

The Ghanaian government has issued travel advisories, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded presidential-level engagement with South African authorities. Meanwhile, victims like Emmanuel Asamoah — whose assault was widely circulated on social media — have become symbols of the crisis.

The Road Ahead

As March-on-March continues to gain momentum, questions remain about how South African authorities will respond. Ngobese-Zuma shows no sign of backing down, and her media background gives her a powerful platform to amplify her message.

Whether African leaders can persuade both the South African government and movements like March-on-March to embrace dialogue over violence remains to be seen. For now, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma stands as the face behind South Africa’s xenophobic protests — a radio presenter turned political firebrand who has become the nemesis of African nationals across the continent.