NDC Promise to Ghanaian Diaspora; a Failure, Sudden Death or "Settei/Setay" as Dasebre Dwamena Put it?

I hope and want to believe some Ghanaians are equally hoping the Ghanaian diaspora community are not gearing up, or are not being reminded or instigated to start digging into their musical archives with the hope of fetching the Highlife legend of loving memory, Dasebre Dwanea's 2007 "Settei" or "Setay" song to start singing it loud from every continent to the listening of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, or start making it the statuses of their social media handles.

If history had its own narrative voice and not a voice that lived in people after it, society would have always learned lessons firsthand and in real time and not grow to make decisions based on past events with its accompanying regrets sometimes.

The Hope NDC Inflated in the Ghanaian Diaspora

Before the 2024 general elections, the NDC and its candidates drew on eight years of observing Ghanaian voters since 2016, including those in the diaspora, and applied lessons from history. They recognized the political value of the Ghanaian diaspora’s stories and experiences, gave the community hope, and quickly became its political favorite. A title they effortlessly took from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Soon, the NDC’s umbrella symbol and its green, white, red, and black colors became a positive and infectious presence across social media. As the bond deepened, the NDC responded by amplifying its promise to support constitutional reforms, including the long-standing call to allow dual citizens to hold public office.

In his recent engagements with Ghanaian diaspora communities in the United States and the United Kingdom, H.E. President John Dramani Mahama raised their hopes by stating plainly that he would sign the bill once Parliament sent it to his desk. The bill is now before Parliament, but the NDC’s “love song” to the diaspora seems to be getting a remix from Parliament and the Council of State. He further assured the community that they are officially Ghana’s 17th constituency, a statement that drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

When the optimism of a visionary president who is a student of history and a resolute Judiciary that remains unshaken battles Parliamentary indecisiveness and Council of State's fear over faith, can we say Ghana could be edging towards a backward ever and forward never instead of the dream proclaimed in the declaration of independence some seventy years ago?

Have the NDC and its Members of Parliament already forgotten the momentum, urgency, and influence the Ghanaian diaspora brought to the lead-up to Ghana’s 2024 general elections? Is President Mahama the only one who remembers it? Are some parliamentarians, parliamentary hopefuls, and potential public-office candidates afraid of the Ghanaian diaspora as legitimate competitors?

I probably must remind them to go back and replay the many clips still alive on social media amassing thousands and millions of views, which was a consolation and sigh of relief for many Ghanaian diaspora communities because of the near hell Ghana became for its citizenry both at home and abroad. In doing so, I urge them not to pause but continue surfing until they find their own videos and listen to themselves, for it is almost half-time in the prescribed political calendar, then ask themselves one simple question; which group 'owned' social media in the heat up to the 2024 elections?

The NDC must then quietly reflect on that question, try to honestly answer it and imagine the electoral storm that can emanate from the power of the Ghanaian diaspora. A constituency that the NPP owns in earnest after building it for eight good years, only to find the NDC taking over by surprise and courting the NPP diaspora to buy into their political sermons. Reasons being, they saw a comeback of a president who in their eyes was not only honest but believed he will never have them as a menu at the table but as important collaborators around the table.

Where are the broad smiles of the former candidates, many of whom now sit in Parliament, endorsing policies and bills with the same bright grins whenever the “Yeh-Yeh” call becomes necessary? Those smiles have now grown into thunderous two-thirds “Yeh-Yeh” responses, bright enough, it seems, to light up the entire chamber during an accidental dumsor.

That illuminating power seems to have begun fading, if not disappearing entirely, since the Constitution Review Committee’s proposal to allow Ghanaian dual citizens to hold public office reached Ghana’s famous two-thirds majority. The once-bright smiles now appear hidden behind the tightly sealed lips of the NDC majority in Parliament, offering little chance that their signature sparkle teeth will save the chamber from an accidental dumsor while the issue remains under discussion.

Unfortunately, there has been little public education to help citizens properly understand the issue, especially in the court of public opinion. What happened to the NDC’s appealing promise to the Ghanaian diaspora, has it suffered a sudden death?

Power and Influence Ghanaian Diaspora Wields

The Ghanaian diaspora influence in Ghana's development did not just begin in 2017 when the Diaspora office came into existence to close the gap between Ghana and its citizens all over the world. It was not by mistake that it was legally rooted in a presidential decree as its website dictates, to serve as a conduit between Ghana and the over four million and growing global diaspora community with one of its projected phases being knowledge and skills transfer, and more importantly, the "[enhancement] of Diaspora Citizenship and Representation" phase which was anchored in fostering deeper sense of belonging and amplifying the need for overhauling some pressing issues, particularly, dual citizenship, voting rights and formal representation of the diaspora in key national dialogue and planning.

Prior to the presidential decree, those who believed in history will recognize and appreciate the number of times history permitted the country Ghana to rest on the shoulders of Ghanaian diaspora to embark on the long journey of dreaming in colonization, through the power of hope in the Gold Coast era, and to when the sigh of freedom emotionally greeted the faces of some Ghanaian diaspora supported in faith without fear by their brothers and sisters who share the same burial soil of their umbilical cords, and to courageously speak at long last in the loudest voice to affirm ownership of one identity and heritage in one name Ghana.

The Ghanaian diasporan spirit that lived in the Big Six, led by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and supported by proud Ghanaians who placed faith over fear, still lives and deserves an embrace by today’s Ghanaian. Ghanaians of that era were not afraid that a brief exposure to foreign winds or snow had diminished their brothers’ and sisters’ Ghanaian identity. Instead, they recognized that such exposure had added a development-oriented mindset without erasing the wisdom of their ancestral origin, just as the Big Six and many others demonstrated through the selflessness that helped make Ghana’s historic declaration possible in that faithful pronouncement of Ghana in that at-long-last voice about seventy years ago.

Today, the Ghanaian diaspora is a large and steadily growing constituency, and many Ghanaians at home, including some yet unborn, may one day become part of it. For the President to officially recognize the diaspora as Ghana’s 17th constituency is therefore a step in the right direction. However, the diaspora deserves more than symbolic classification within Ghana’s national development agenda. Economic, social, and cultural developments in Ghana affect diaspora communities, just as developments within those communities directly and indirectly affect Ghana because of the country’s strong family ties and social bonds.

Only a truly thoughtful and visionary leader, grounded in history, can fully grasp the Ghanaian diaspora’s enduring influence on Ghana’s future. The sooner Ghanaians embrace this reality, the better. Many in the diaspora view Ghana from a broader global perspective, seeing the country as if under a microscope in ways that many who have never left its shores may not.

This truth remains part of Ghana’s history, reflected in the lives and work of its founders, led by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. As Ghana approaches seventy years of independence, some still question the diaspora’s potential, even as the community continues to help keep the country’s economy afloat.

Graphiconline's published article on April 19, 2026, by Mohammed Ali reports the Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama saying at a diaspora engagement in Virginia U.S A. on April 19, 2026, that Ghanaians living abroad remitted about 7.8 billion dollars in 2025. This he said exceeded Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for that fiscal year. Imagine the Ghanaian diaspora's financial contribution to Ghana's economy far outweighs Foreign direct investment and this group have no direct say in the development of the country they keep it financially breathing. What this means is that if diasporans stop remittance for just a week, Ghana's economy will take a deep nose down. The story keeps getting better as $7.8 billion was an increase from the previous year's $4.6 billion. This is a record 69.5 percent increase in just a year. Any pragmatic leader will do everything in his or her capacity to keep such a group's momentum buoyant and form a strong partnership in development.

President's Believe in the Diaspora, Parliamentary Indecisivenes, and Council of State's Fear

The vision of president Mahama to have dual citizens have a say in Ghana's development and contribute not only to remittance but also in various aspects of experienced leadership and developmental ideas is noble. Ghanaians must approach it with open mindedness and understand that if it took Ghanaian diaspora's leadership with the support, open mindedness, and hard work of Ghanaians to spearhead the independence attainment years back, so can it also take the same Ghanaian diaspora's expertise, experiences, and support of Ghanaians with open mindedness to attain a developed Ghana that has been on the lips of many, at the shortest possible time.

If the argument against dual citizens holding public office is emanating from those afraid of the time sensitive and incorruptible nature of most Ghanaian diasporans with dual citizenship, then they are doing the country a disservice.

However, concerns that dual citizens in sensitive public offices may not be fully trusted, that their allegiance to Ghana may be difficult to measure, or that they could pose national security risks in some cases are legitimate. Every nation must carefully protect its sovereignty at all levels, because where trust is uncertain, confidence cannot be complete.

However, can Parliament not seal all the loopholes that may expose the nation to danger when dual citizens hold public offices? They must live their titles in the chamber as lawmakers, for they are not only there to pass easy laws. Tough laws are part of their job description even if not formally scripted anywhere bluntly. More tough laws must emanate from the chamber that cannot be exploited by anyone no matter what without being punished, and at the same time not to be obstacles to harvesting quality brains and experiences from Ghanaian descents in the diaspora to add to the already existing quality and experienced full home-bred brains that have held onto the fort for years all in a single interest in developing the nation Ghana.

Fear must not stifle Diaspora expertise. At times, faith must rise above fear. Why assume that dual citizens cannot be fully loyal to Ghana? Has any lawmaker considered that Ghana could benefit from their strongest allegiance rather than lose it to another country? Ghana should embrace the opportunities before it while putting strict safeguards in place to manage the risks. Lawmakers must think more deeply, because that is what taxpayers expect from those paid to serve them.

Moreover, a dual citizen who engages in criminal or corrupt acts, be it in the capacity as a public officer or not, can be made to face criminal trial in both countries of citizenship on that charge where he or she finds himself at any point in time. It is up to the lawmakers to infuse such provisions in the bill before passing it.

Dual citizens should be allowed to contest parliamentary seats, but they should not serve on sensitive committees such as Defense, Finance, or Foreign Affairs. The bill be bar them from serving as Speaker of Parliament or as deputy speakers. In addition, they should not hold appointments as ministers of state or deputy ministers, nor should they hold full-time positions at the Presidency, except for periodic consultancy roles unrelated to Cabinet matters.

Dual citizens should be permitted to serve at the assembly level, including as municipal or district chief executives. However, they should not be direct members of regional security teams and should ordinarily report to the regional minister.

The President should appoint qualified and experienced dual citizens to at least 50 percent of chief executive officer positions in public institutions, so their experience managing large organizations and companies in advanced countries can benefit Ghana.

If Ghanaians oppose dual citizens representing their local constituencies in Parliament, then dual citizens and the wider Ghanaian diaspora must have representation through continent-based constituencies. Parliament should expand by the number of continents, with one diasporan parliamentarian representing each continent. These representatives should have voting rights and the freedom to align with either side of Parliament or remain independent. However, they should not serve on sensitive committees, such as Defence and Interior, Foreign Affairs, or Finance, and they should never serve as Speaker of Parliament or as deputy speakers.

Ghanaian diaspora must be able to elect those that will advocate their plights and Ghana's plight across the various continents of the world, challenge Ghana and Africa's democracy, project Ghana and Africa across all the continents in the world, and support Ghana and Africa's democracy and economies beyond what they are known to be doing better for decades in the arena of remittance.

Lessons From The 2026 FIFA World Cup for Political Parties and Politicians

Politicians and political parties, whether praised as good or condemned as bad, often fail to learn simple lessons both in power and in opposition. This failure makes power shift unexpectedly, even to the surprise of the political players themselves, as history has shown many times.

A football analogy can better show how complacency affects the struggle to win, sustain, and retain political power.

In football, a team can play the most convincing and attractive game, earn the loudest applause from spectators, dominate possession, and avoid fouls, yellow cards, and red cards, yet still lose. The opponent may play poorly, commit rough tackles, booed by the same spectators, and receive yellow and red cards, but still win the match or trophy by scoring the most goals, or the only goal. Why? Because they capitalized on one avoidable mistake their opponents failed to correct within the 90 minutes of regulation time. In Ghanaian politics, the regulation time is four years.

A clearer example comes from the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup. In their opening match, Cape Verde’s national men’s football team held Spain to a draw, yet Spain went on to win the tournament.

Still on Cape Verde, they played a beautiful and courageous game with Argentina equalizing twice only for Argentina to net in the winning goal to eliminate Cape Verde at the round of thirty-two (32) stage and eventually ended up playing Spain at the finals. This should be a great lesson for ruling political parties and an encouragement to opposition parties.

Ghana Without Ghanaian Diaspora as Partners in Development

The Ghanaian diaspora’s numerical and economic strength will continue to grow by any positive measure. Excluding or limiting its partnership with Ghana would create serious economic risks, and any attempt to downplay that reality could be disastrous. Ghana must therefore give serious attention to preventing any effort that limits the diaspora’s involvement and representation in national development.

As I have always maintained, the Diaspora support must continue, for they are the new constituency in Ghana and in most African democracies. It is a mighty constituency that is worth grafting to the spine and infused into the blood of Africa's Political, Economic and Social development with a speed never seen before. This constituency is pregnant with highly skilled Professionals, Artisans, Academicians, just name it, experienced enough to Challenge, Advocate, Project, and Support (CAPS) African democracies to blossom.

For soccer lovers, if Ghana finds benefit in scouting extensively for Ghanaian born diaspora to play for its national teams and represent Ghana at the world level to make a mark, what stops Ghana to equally do the same with the many experts in national development in diverse fields scattered all over the world? And when they respond to the call, must we welcome them wholeheartedly or make it difficult for them to help the nation?

A sincere answer by every Ghanaian to this question can be an ideal instrument to measure their love for the one Ghana every Ghanaian have and will continue to have the way they want it, whether their umbilical cords were buried in the soils of Ghana or it is their parent and parents' parent's cord that was rather buried in the golden soils of Ghana.

Today, we must look into the future with the rich experiences from the past no matter where they were earned and optimistically see what we stand to benefit from both that history and the one we are currently writing to be read in another seventy years to come. For we must not let fear derail the history we are writing and correcting today to hang on our nation as necklaces of regrets on every citizen’s neck in those years to come. There will be bad nuts along the way, infiltration will not completely be out of the equation, doubts and second-guessing ourselves will constantly knock on our doors, but in all that, what we cannot forgive ourselves for till eternity is the failure to harness the great in our own sons and daughters distanced from us for value addition but came right before our doorsteps with solutions free of charge and we made the fear in us boot them away back to those we have always sought the same solutions from.

I rest my PEN.
Mustapha Alhassan
Pennsylvania, USA.