Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s citizenship, has become a subject of debate in recent times, with allegations of dual citizenship raised by his political opponents.
This controversy was ignited by claims made by former ambassador Sam Pee Yalley, who accused Bawumia of holding British citizenship while serving as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London.
In this article, The Independent Ghana delves into the details of the controversy and presents the statements provided by both sides to shed light on the matter.
Accusations and evidence:
Sam Pee Yalley alleged that Vice President Bawumia acquired British citizenship during his tenure as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. He based his claims on information from the UK Companies House website, which listed Bawumia as a British national and a former director of the bank. According to the website, Bawumia was appointed as a director on 18 October 2006 and resigned on 15 April 2009.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s citizenship, has become a subject of debate in recent times, with allegations of dual citizenship raised by his political opponents. This controversy was ignited by claims made by former ambassador Sam Pee Yalley, who accused Bawumia of holding British citizenship while serving as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. In this article, The Independent Ghana delves into the details of the controversy and presents the statements provided by both sides to shed light on the matter.
Accusations and evidence:
Sam Pee Yalley alleged that Vice President Bawumia acquired British citizenship during his tenure as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. He based his claims on information from the UK Companies House website, which listed Bawumia as a British national and a former director of the bank. According to the website, Bawumia was appointed as a director on 18 October 2006 and resigned on 15 April 2009.
Dismissing the claims:
A spokesperson for Vice President Bawumia, Dr Gideon Boako, vehemently denied the allegations and clarified that his boss neither holds nor has ever held British citizenship. Dr Boako emphasized that Bawumia was only seconded to the Ghana International Bank Plc by the Bank of Ghana and did not require British citizenship to fulfil his responsibilities there.
Here is an appointment form, obtained from a reliable source, where Bawumia has indicated his nationality as Ghanaian.
The precedent and constitutional prohibitions:
The controversy surrounding Bawumia’s citizenship arises in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the election of James Gyakye Quayson, an MP for Assin North, due to his dual citizenship status at the time of filing his nomination with the Electoral Commission. This ruling has sparked discussions regarding the eligibility of other public office holders who may hold dual citizenship. The Ghanaian constitution prohibits dual citizens from occupying specific public offices, including members of parliament, ministers of state, ambassadors, and judges.
The controversy surrounding Vice President Bawumia’s citizenship has stirred debates and raised questions about the qualifications of public office holders in Ghana. As the matter unfolds, further scrutiny and clarification may be required to address concerns regarding the eligibility of individuals serving in public office and ensure adherence to constitutional provisions.
