With its stable democratic government and rapidly growing economy, Ghana has emerged as an attractive destination for investors and those seeking second citizenship. Ghana’s citizenship by investment program allows foreign nationals to obtain citizenship by making a substantial economic contribution to the country. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to obtaining Ghanaian citizenship through investment.
Overview of Ghana’s Citizenship by Investment Program
Ghana launched its citizenship by investment program in 2016 to encourage foreign investment and boost its economy. Under the program, foreign nationals can acquire Ghanaian citizenship by making a minimum investment of $200,000 in government bonds or venture capital funding. Applicants must be over 18 years old, meet good character requirements, and provide various documents including passport, police certificate, bank statement etc. The entire application process takes about 3 months.
Benefits of Ghanaian Citizenship
Obtaining Ghanaian citizenship through investment comes with several benefits. Ghanaian passport holders get visa-free access to over 65 countries including the UK, Schengen area, Singapore, Hong Kong etc. Ghana has a liberal citizenship law allowing dual citizenship. Citizens can live, work and own property in Ghana. There is no requirement to reside in Ghana to keep citizenship. Ghana has a stable political environment and one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
Investment Options Under Citizenship Program
There are two investment options to acquire Ghanaian citizenship – purchasing government bonds or investing in an approved real estate project. The minimum investment for government bonds is $200,000 which should be maintained for a minimum of 5 years. For real estate investment, the minimum is $500,000 invested into an approved project. The real estate option allows investors to potentially recover their capital by selling the property after 5 years.
Application Process and Timeline
The application for Ghanaian citizenship by investment has three main stages – initial assessment, due diligence and approval. Applicants must submit required documents including passport, police certificate, medical report, investment proof etc. Background checks are conducted during due diligence. The entire process takes about 12 weeks and applicants are issued a certificate of naturalization. A Ghanaian passport can be applied subsequently.
Family Members Can Also Obtain Citizenship
A key benefit of the Ghana citizenship by investment program is that dependent family members can also obtain citizenship when the main applicant invests. The spouse and children below 18 years of age can acquire Ghanaian citizenship along with the main applicant. The same application process and investment amount applies for dependents.
Ghana’s citizenship by investment program offers a straightforward path to acquire a valuable second passport within a short time. With its business friendly policies, political stability and high growth economy, Ghana is an attractive destination for investors seeking second citizenship.