Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Must Not Be Ghana’s President Because of His British Nationality

On Saturday, 7 December 2024, Ghanaians are going to the polls to elect their President as well as Members of Parliament. By all measures, the battle for Jubilee House is between former President John Dramani Mahama of NDC, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of NPP.

One may ask: *do Ghanaians, both at home and in the diaspora, care about who will be at the Jubilee House?* Yes, Ghanaians care very much, and those abroad care the most. They would like to see whoever becomes President or Members of Parliament fully qualified to hold those positions. Ghana’s 1992 Constitution for the Fourth Republic has clearly outlined who qualifies to be an MP and President.

Article 94(1)(a) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution states:

"Subject to the provisions of this article, a person shall not be qualified to be a Member of Parliament unless: he is a citizen of Ghana…"

The Ghanaian judiciary has affirmed this clause in notable rulings:

Hon. Adamu Daramani Sakande Case (2012): The Supreme Court held that Sakande, who held a British passport, violated the Constitution by owing allegiance to another country.

Hon. James Gyakye Quayson Case (2020): The court invalidated Quayson’s election to Parliament due to his dual Canadian citizenship, emphasizing that allegiance to another country disqualifies individuals from holding political office.

These precedents clarify that dual citizens are ineligible to serve as MPs. And Article 62 further stipulates that Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates must meet the same eligibility criteria as MPs. These rulings prohibit dual citizens from serving as MPs. If one is ineligible to be an MP, they are also ineligible to be President or Vice President.

If this is the case, “A declaration that on a true and proper interpretation of Articles 62(c), 94(2)(a), and 97(1)… Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Presidential Candidate of NPP, who holds a British Citizenship and have not publicly shown evidence of renunciation of therefore “owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana” is acting in contravention and in continuous violation of the 1992 Constitution if he seeks the nod to be a Ghanaian President”

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and current presidential candidate for the NPP, does not qualify to be elected President. Many Ghanaian are disqualified by these constitutional clauses, despite their knowledge and experience acquired abroad. The NPP tight-lipped and silent about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s British citizenship is an insult to many Ghanaians.

Background Information on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s father, the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, was an illustrious son of Ghana and one of the foremost politicians in pre- and post-independence Ghanaian politics. Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and later as Chairman of the Council of State during President J.J. Rawlings’ era.

Given his father’s stature, Dr. Bawumia had access to opportunities abroad. After completing his GCE A-levels, he attended the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a private college in England. He later earned a bachelor’s degree from Buckingham University in 1987 and a master’s degree from Oxford.

Like many international students, Dr. Bawumia had to navigate immigration challenges. To extend his stay in England, he married Madam Beverley R. Knight, a British citizen, in December 1989 (see evidence). Their wedding, documented in records, took place in Ealing, London (marriage of convenience or what?. In those years, through this marriage, Dr. Bawumia obtained indefinite leave to remain (ILR) by 1991 and acquired British citizenship by late 1992 or early 1993. Thus, believed to have become a full British citizen before completing his studies at Simon Fraser University in Canada in 1995.

Proof that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had British Nationality

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was appointed Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana in June 2006 and subsequently registered as a Director with Ghana International Bank Plc on 18 October 2006. He held this role until his resignation on April 15, 2009.

The following information about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been publicly available on the UK Companies House register since 18 October 2006 until altered on 22 June 2023:

1. Full Name: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
2. Correspondence Address: House No. 48, 6th Estate Road, Kanda Estates, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
3. Role (Resigned): Director
4. Date of Birth: October 1963
5. Appointment Date: 18 October 2006
6. Resignation Date: 15 April 2009
7. Nationality: British
8. Country of Residence: Ghana

Ghana International Bank Plc established in the United Kingdom on 13 November 1997 under the late President J. J. Rawlings has had several key figures from the Bank of Ghana registered as executives. The first Bank of Ghana official appointed to Ghana International Bank Plc is *Dr. Kwabena Duffuor in February 1998*, followed by his deputy *Emmanuel Aseidu-Mante in March 1998*. When *President JA Kufuor* came to power in 2000 he appointed *Paul Amoaful Acquah*, Governor of Bank of Ghana as an Executive to Ghana International Bank PLC and his details were listed on October 2001. President JA Kufuor also appointed others like *Lawrence Newton Adu-Mante in October 2004*, *late Roko Kwasi Frimpong in October 2004*, *Edward Boakye-Agyeman in June 2006*, etc. Since its establishment in 1997, Ghana International Bank PLC has had 70 officials where 60 have resigned. Every appointee’s details was published including their nationality. All aforementioned names were listed as Ghanaians. At the time Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was appointed on 18 October 2006 his nationality then was a BRITISH.

This raises significant questions: Why was Dr. Bawumia’s nationality listed as British but he has till date not announced publicly he has renounced that nationality but kept it silence while others have suffered for that?

Prior to the 2020 general elections in Ghana, some media personalities raised concerns about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s British nationality. Oheneba Boamah Bennie, a presenter at Radio Gold FM, and Kevin Ekow Badu Taylor of WADR, highlighted the issue. NDC communicator Aikins Ofori also published an article on the topic. However, these warnings were largely ignored. In May 2023, MP Hon. Clement Abas Apaak tweeted about Dr. Bawumia’s unrenounced British nationality. Ambassador Sam Pee Yalley also alleged in June 2023 that the Vice President still holds British citizenship.

The NPP responded by deploying their “deceit tactics.” Dr. Bawumia’s spokesperson, Dr. Gideon Brako, went on air to deny the allegations. Ghana International Bank Plc amended Dr. Bawumia’s nationality from “British” to “Ghanaian” on public records on 22 June 2023 using *Amending Form 363a*. However, the original records still list his nationality as British. NPP and Ghana International Bank Plc could not amend *Form 363a(ef)*. Form 363a(ef) is an annual electronic filing form which the bank reported to the UK Companies House yearly showing current officials and annual financial figures. From 2006 to 2008 there was no change in details of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Even until 22 June 2023, his nationality was British. This means, the information provided to Companies House about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was accurate, not an error.

Conclusion: Ghana Should Reject Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Many leaders worldwide have been disqualified from holding political office due to dual citizenship. Under Article 94(2)(a) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, individuals who owe allegiance to another country are ineligible to serve as MPs, and by extension, Presidents or Vice Presidents.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has not publicly renounced his British nationality, and he does not qualify for the presidency under Ghanaian law. Ghanaians must reject his candidacy to uphold the integrity of the Constitution.

Written by
Lewis Kwame Addo.