GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE RIGHT OF ABODE
The concept of right of abode under Immigration Law is that person having the right of abode” shall be free to live and to come and go into and from the country without let or hindrance” Section 17(1) of the Immigration Act 2000, Act 573 provides that subject to this section the Minister may on an application and with the approval of the president grant the status of right of abode to any of the following persons.
A.) A Ghanaian by birth, adoption, registration or naturalization within the meaning of the citizenship Act who by reason of this acquisition of foreign nationality has loss his Ghanaian citizenship and B.) A person of African descent in the Diaspora
2) A Ghanaian citizen to whom paragraph: a) of subsection (1) applies shall produce to the Minister such document and other evidence that the Minister may require testifying to the loss of his Ghanaian citizenship by reason of having acquired another citizenship
[contentad widget=”604777″]
B.) 3) A person of African descent in the Diaspora to be considered for the status of right of abode if he satisfies the Minister that he A.) Is of good character as attested to by two Ghanaian who are notaries public, lawyers, senior public officers or other class of person approved of by the Ministers.
B) Has not been convicted of any criminal offence and been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of twelve (12) months or more C) Is of independent means D) Is in the opinion of the Minister capable of making a substantial contribution to the development of Ghana and E) Has attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
C.) A Ghanaian national who by the acquisition of another nationality cannot hold a Ghanaian nationality because of the Laws governing The acquired nationality and who wishes to be granted right of abode shall not be required to produce documentary evidence of financial standing. The applicant for right of abode shall submit the application in person for the purpose of verification the applicant must have resided in the country
A.) Throughout the period of twenty four (24) months immediately proceeding the date of application.
B) During the seven (7) years immediately proceeding the period twenty four (24) months referred to the paragraph (a) for a period amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years
ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED ON THE GRANT OF INDEFINITE RESIDENCE STATUS AND RIGHT OF ABODE STATUS
Section 18 (1) provides that:
A person with indefinite residence status or person with right of abode status is
a) Entitled to remain indefinite in Ghana.
b) Entitled to enter Ghana without a Visa.
c) Entitled to work in Ghana either a self-employed or as an employee with a work permit.
d) Subject to the laws of Ghana.
Notwithstanding the benefits that holders of indefinite residence status and right of abode will enjoy as stated supra, their dependants are exempted and this is specially stated in section 18 subsection (2) the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573. It states:
