Friday, 14th February, 2025
Hon James Gyakye Quayson
Assin North
Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to elaborate on Black History Month.
Mr Speaker, I am very honoured to have the opportunity to commemorate Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, struggles, and contribution of black people throughout history. I want to thank the good people of Assin North for entrusting me once again to represent and serve them.
Mr Speaker, Black History Month allows us to reflect on the perseverance of our people throughout history, slavery, institutional racism, and the ongoing fight for equality. I am inspired by the immense contribution of black leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Barack Obama, and a host of others, whose efforts have shaped history and inspired progress.
Mr Speaker, Africa, despite being rich in natural resources, remains paradoxically underdeveloped due to centuries of exploitation, colonisation, and unfair global systems. Our continent was stripped of resources and labour, which fuelled the advancement of other nations while leaving us impoverished. Even today, economic dependency and the influence of global financial institutions continue to hinder Africa’s progress.
Mr Speaker, I believe Black History Month is a call to action. It reminds us of the need for unity among black people worldwide, both on the continent and in the diaspora. We must strive for self sufficiency, ethical leadership, and collective responsibility. By learning from the past and building solidarity, we can right the wrongs of history and create a future of hope, dignity, and empowerment for generations to come.
Mr Speaker, this year’s celebration of Black History Month carried a powerful message of unity, resilience, and progress for the people of African descent across the world. It reminded us that the African story is one of triumph in the face of adversity, of collective strength, and of an enduring vision for a brighter future. As the world celebrates the contribution of our ancestors and contemporaries to global history, Ghana reaffirms this position as the gateway to Africa, a home for all people of African descent, wherever they may be.
Mr Speaker, the Year of Return in 2019, followed by the Beyond the Return initiative, became monumental in positioning Ghana as a welcoming home for African-Americans and the global diaspora. This initiative not only reignited cultural connections, but also brought tangible economic benefits, with tourism contributing significantly to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr Speaker, African-Americans and the global diaspora have made substantial investment in Ghana’s economy, particularly in real estate, hospitality, tourism, and many other sectors, further strengthening Ghana’s position as a leading destination for cultural tourism. These contributions have created jobs, boosted local businesses, and fostered global networking opportunities, all of which are vital to our national development.
Mr Speaker, for far too long, the issue of dual citizenship has clouded our political discourse, dividing us when we should be united. I am a firm believer that Ghanaians in the diaspora are brothers and sisters scattered across the globe, and they are not only part of our national story, but an integral part of our future. Their expertise, their investments, and their patriotism are invaluable. I stand here not as a victim of political challenges, but as a testament to the resilience of every Ghanaian who believes in the power of democracy and justice.
Mr Speaker, the fight against dual citizenship restrictions and political ambition is not a personal battle, but a national conversation. Our Constitution, while a beacon of democracy, must evolve to reflect the global realities of our people. How do we marginalise those who have sought better opportunities abroad, yet remain deeply connected to Ghana? How do we exclude them from leadership when their hearts, skills, and resources are dedicated to building our nation?
Mr Speaker, it is important that we expedite action on this passage of the Dual Citizenship Amendment Bill to remove these restrictions and create a more inclusive governance framework. The Bill represents a critical step in acknowledging the contributions of Ghanaians in the diaspora, and ensuring that they have equal opportunities to participate in our democratic processes. I therefore urge this august House to lend its full support to the Bill when tabled again. Together, let us take this bold step towards inclusivity and progress.
Mr Speaker, as we deliberate on policies and development strategies, let us embrace the vision of our noble President, H. E. John Dramani Mahama, as outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, The Black Star Experience.
This initiative would not only serve as Ghana’s flagship brand for culture, arts, and tourism, but also, it would redefine and reaffirm national identity while attracting investments, creating jobs, and boosting tourism. It includes a year-round celebration in arts, film, fashion, literature, and more, strengthening ties with the African diaspora, including the Caribbean, and positioning Ghana as the cultural hub of Africa. The initiative will enhance tourism revenues, foster transfers, support local businesses and drive economic and creative innovations across the country.
Mr Speaker, in recent years, Ghana has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for many Africans, diasporans, and other nationals, who have chosen to call our country home. By extending citizenship to them, we are acknowledging their immense contribution to our society, economically, culturally, and socially. Many of these individuals have decades of professional experience, global networks, resources, and valuable perspectives that can benefit our governance and institutions.
Mr Speaker, as we welcome them as citizens, we must also recognise the potential for their political aspirations. Leadership is not confined to nationality by birth, but it is defined by the ability to serve, innovate, and uplift communities. These new citizens are now an inseparable part of our Ghanaian story, and their ambition should not be stifled but celebrated as part of the diversity and richness of our democracy.
Mr Speaker, this moment calls on us to rethink the structures of inclusivity in our governance. If we as a nation are bold enough to welcome them as citizens, then we must be equally bold in creating pathways for their active participation in shaping Ghana's future, including in political leadership. Their global experience, combined with their commitment to Ghana, can only strengthen our democracy and accelerate our development.
Mr Speaker, the journey ahead is long, and the road will not always be smooth, but I pledge to work relentlessly to ensure that no Ghanaian feels left out of our national vision. Whether they live in Accra, Kumasi, Assin North, New York, or Toronto, today, we can redefine what it means to be a Ghanaian, create a nation where everyone has a stake, and build a future that our children will be proud of. Let us not be deterred by the challenges of today, for they are but stepping stones to a greater tomorrow. Let us work together to create and reset our nation again, where opportunities are abundant, justice is unwavering, and security is assured to every Ghanaian, who regardless of their circumstances, can dream, achieve, and strive.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Samuel Abdulai Jinapor
Damongo
Thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Statement ably made by the Member of Parliament for Assin North.
Mr Speaker, black people have travelled a long journey, and indeed, from the days of slavery to colonialism, all through to the days of civil rights, the struggle for independence, postindependence struggles of nation building, and our contemporary challenges of unleashing the needed prosperity to our people, the black people of the world have travelled a long journey. That is why I believe the Statement commemorating black history is absolutely important.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, in our country, Ghana, we have had great leaders, and great forebears who stood up to fight for Ghanaian independence, and Ghanaian freedom. But allow me to focus on land administration as a testament to the struggles and triumphs of our forebears, and by that, I refer to the likes of John Mensah Sarbah, and Co, who established the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, which unlike other African countries, particularly Eastern African countries, were able to mobilise our compatriots and our citizens to stand against the Crown Lands Bill of 1894, which sought to appropriate Ghanaian lands.
Mr Speaker, and that is why today we have a situation in Ghana where lands are owned by the Ghanaian people, are owned by stools, owned by skins, clans, among others. Indeed, across the world, there have been notable personalities who have fought for the dignity of the black man. Dr Martin Luther King is a classic example. All through history, black people have championed black promotion, promoting the welfare and the dignity of black people.
Mr Speaker, let me conclude by touching on the very important point that the Hon MP for Assin North spoke about so passionately. And I can understand why he spoke that passionately about that subject, which is dual citizenship, and the need for citizens to have the right to representation and also have the right to participate in the governance of our country while holding citizenship of other countries.
Mr Speaker, I only want to point out that it is a welcome call and all of us should support it, but while supporting it, we also have to be mindful that rights go along with duties. And as the Hon Member may be familiar with, the tax jurisprudence of our country, for example, is a source-based tax system, which means that one is taxed only when their income is sourced from the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Unlike other countries where taxation is based on citizenship and therefore if one is a citizen of a country like the United States’, it does not matter where one is or where one earns his or her income, the United States tax regime will catch up with them and they have to pay tax.
In Ghana, if one is a Ghanaian citizen and his or her source of income is not within the Ghanaian jurisdiction, one is not obliged to pay taxes to the Ghanaian state. Therefore, while we call for and support dual citizens to have certain rights, I believe that there is also a gamut of other duties we have to examine. One of them that I am also passionate about is the question of taxation, so that if one is a dual citizen and one is entitled to be a Member of Parliament or a Chief Justice, and one is earning his or her income from, say, the United Kingdom, the Ghanaian tax regime should be able to catch up with the person as well.
Mr Speaker, with this, I thank the maker of this Statement for making this important Statement.
Hon Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu
Madina
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Statement on Black History Month by our Colleague, Hon James Gyakye Quayson, Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, this Statement is very timely because it reminds us of a number of things, starting from local to maybe, global. I think the first thing it reminds us of is the duty of the nation to pass that very important dual citizenship law that was introduced by a private Member in the Eighth Parliament. Unfortunately, we could not pass that law before the Eighth Parliament dissolved. I am hopeful that the new Attorney-General and the Minister for the Interior will come together and ensure that that Bill is re-laid on the floor of Parliament so we can look at it speedily.
Mr Speaker, of course, there is justification for this. The mere fact that a person has moved from Ghana to another country or picked citizenship from another country does not mean the person has lost his original citizenship or where he was born. Mr Speaker, not only that, research and data available from the World Bank, Bank of Ghana and other financial institutions show that the remittances that come to this country, the amount of financial contributions that our diasporans make to this country is unimaginable. So how on earth do we accept all these remittances and support, yet when it comes to ensuring their rights to participate in our local governance structure, we tend to discriminate against them.
Mr Speaker, I really believe that the time is ripe for us to critically look at the dual citizenship law and then amend it. Secondly, the Statement again reminds us of a collective responsibility as Africans and African citizens. Mr Speaker, you would realize that most of the world leaders or the forebears, for example, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, were people who had opportunity to study beyond the four corners of Ghana. So it means that the diasporan experience is also very important because it opens our world view; it helps us to understand what is happening in other jurisdictions so that we can move out of our own idiosyncrasies or our own limited view of things.
Mr Speaker, today we are in a global village; it means that knowledge everywhere or knowledge transfer is so key for us to develop new strategies and new approaches to overcome the challenges that we have as a people. Before I end my comment, Black History Month also places an overwhelming obligation on each and every one of us as Africans. This week we have been speaking about Africa because of the Summit going on in Addis Ababa, and we have made several Statements on this Floor this week as far as Africans are concerned.
Mr Speaker, I believe that the time has come for Africa to give true meaning to the statement made by our first President, Dr Nkrumah, that Ghana's independence is meaningless unless it leads to the, complete independence or emancipation of the African continent. That emancipation is not only political emancipation. From 1963 to date, all we have succeeded in doing is weaning ourselves off our colonial masters by virtue of not being their colonists anymore.
But when it comes to our economies, we are still in some form of slavery. When it comes to integrity in governance, look at how our democracies, — very weak democracies — sometimes even fake democracies, because every time, people are looking for opportunities to cheat just to get to power. So I think African leaders will have to do a true reflection, and as we do this true reflection, one of the things we also have to understand is that we must move from the aid dependency of African leaders and African countries, and develop local and indigenous solutions for African problems. If we are able to do this, then the Black History Month will make a lot of meaning to all of us as Africans.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this Statement.
Hon Fred Kyei Asamoah
Offinso North
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and let us thank the maker of the Statement regarding the Black History Month. This started as Negro History Week in 1926.
It was President Ford that in 1976 officially recognised the Negro Week as the Black History Month and in the 80s, it was backed by law to celebrate Black History Month in February each year. Mr Speaker, it is no wonder today we are celebrating cocoa day and we know cocoa also came from Fernando Po, now Equatorial Guinea, to Ghana in 1895 from the black soil. So, as we are contributing to this Statement, I would not want to leave out the people of Offinso North, from Nkawkaw to Afrancho, to wish them a happy Valentine's Day and a Cocoa Day as well. I also wish my wife, Joyce Asamoah, and the family.
Mr Speaker, you want me to take that advantage? But, Mr Speaker, on a serious note, blacks have struggled for a long time, and we have contributed immensely to the growth of this world. But what do we get in return?We know we always talk about the fact that it was Blacks who discovered America, but what is our role as Blacks right now? We also know that Africa is endowed with a whole lot of resources, but we tend not to benefit from it. So, this is a call on us, even as we are celebrating the Black History Month, which is African American and Labour, it calls on us that, is the Black man only good for labour, or is he also good to enjoy what God has endowed us with? Africa has so much resources, notwithstanding what has gone out of our continent, that if we are to focus on labour improvement and local economic improvement, we will have more Blacks having to stay in Africa and not run out of this continent.
Mr Speaker, coming back to the issue of dual citizenship, a lot of African countries have benefited from dual citizens, because our ability to learn and unlearn and learn is one that countries develop with. If one looks at what is going on in China, China had the opportunity to even go and learn a lot of things from the Americas and from Germany, and they have gone back to help their country with it. So I think it is the right time that we in Ghana and in Africa, give our dual citizens the opportunity to contribute fully to the development of our nation, recognising the struggles of most of our leaders who have led this country. If you look at the history of our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, he had the opportunity to live in the United States, the same way most of our leaders that have led this country did.
Mr Speaker, I would like to support my brother, the Hon Member of Parliament, that we would have to really look at this dual citizen law and see how best we can bring meaning to it, so that the power and the resilience of the black race can contribute to the development of our nation, Ghana. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon Grace Ayensu-Danquah
Essikadu-Ketan
Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make a comment on this Statement. I also thank the maker of the Statement, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency.
The issue of Black History Month is a very important month for Africans and Africans in the diaspora. I want to bring this Black History Month issue back to the medical industry, as a medical doctor and a surgeon specialist myself. When we look at blacks in the diaspora, there is a lot of expertise that Ghana can benefit from medical experts in the diaspora. They cut across from Brazil, to Middle East, to the Caribbean, to America, to Canada, to the UK. All across the world, we have blacks who are experts in the medical field. These are some super specialised experts.
As we sit here today in Ghana, we have issues with medical expertise. Where we have experts, we do not have enough of them. What happens in most of our hospitals is that we see the same experts rotating in all the medical centres. We have a deficit of medical experts. Some of the medical experts are in areas where there is only one or two of them in the entire country.
So, in celebrating Black History Month, I would urge this House to make it easier for medical experts in the diaspora to come and support our health system. Often times, it is very difficult to even transition.
For instance, when one comes from elsewhere, there are certain examinations one has to take, which are usually done once or twice a year. There is an oral examination, which all of us had to do, and the process of getting a medical license is a bit tedious and may be sometimes inconvenient. So, as a House, I would recommend that we look into those and see how best we can make it easier for Africans in the diaspora to come to Ghana to support our health industry.
Mr Speaker, I would like to also say that even if these experts are not coming here permanently, we can use them on a rotational basis. We have NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) that can bring doctors and experts, may be every three months, to help and support the Ghanaian health system. Most of these experts, because of their patriotism, would probably do it, and for free. This would almost be at no cost to the Ghanaian medical system; yet, we would benefit from their great expertise.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank Mr James Gyakye Quayson for bringing up this very important Statement on Black History Month. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the people in the cocoa growing areas of my constituency, EssikaduKetan: the people in Mmeredane, Atiase, Bowohomoden and all the cocoa growing areas in Essikadu-Ketan. I would like to wish them a Happy Chocolate Day. Hopefully, this weekend, I would bring chocolate to all of them in the villages and we can enjoy the end product of their hard work.
Mr Speaker, I would also like to highlight what is happening with our cocoa. Most of the cocoa plants are being cut down to make way for galamsey. I think that we should also look into that because cocoa is a very important product for the country and it brings in most of our income. Mr Speaker, I thank you so much for allowing me to make this contribution.
Hon Haruna Iddrisu
Tamale South
Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Mr Gyakye Quayson for making a Statement on the Black History Month, and to call on us to recognise the monumental contribution of Dr Kwame Nkrumah to the economic, social and political development of our country. As well as the contribution of Nelson Mandela, in not just breaking the walls of apartheid, but ensuring that South Africa was ushered into a democracy, which gives more power and rights to persons with black background, and to also celebrate Dr Martin Luther King.
Mr Speaker, in commending him on his Statement, may I refer us to the paragraph at the second page where he talked about the issue of dual citizenship. The onus lies on us, as a country, to decide whether we are ready to make the best use of the expertise acquired by Ghanaians who have lived and worked abroad for several years, but for good reasons, had to give up their citizenship for other countries.
We know that the motivation for many who travelled at the time to the United Kingdom (UK) or to the United States of America (USA) and acquired those citizenships was because they did not want to be chased around like they are being chased around today. So, they had to switch citizenship in order to gain some of the benefits associated with being a citizenship of that country.
Mr Speaker, however, in 1993, when the Constitution was promulgated, and with your indulgence, I beg to quote Article 8(1) of the Constitution which was repealed; it says:
“A citizen of Ghana may hold the citizenship of any other country in addition to a citizen of Ghana”
Mr Speaker, this is constitutional. If one is a Ghanaian and chooses to hold the citizenship of another country, our Constitution permits it; it is lawful.
Mr Speaker, in Article 8(2) it reads, “Without prejudice to Article 94(2) of the Constitution,” and this is the emphasis, “No citizen of Ghana shall qualify to be appointed as a holder of any office specified in this clause if he holds the citizenship of any other country in addition to a citizenship of Ghana.”
So, if one is a dual citizen, he or she cannot be an Ambassador, a High Commissioner, Secretary to the Cabinet, Chief of Defence Staff or any service chief, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Director of Immigration Service, and any office specified by an Act of Parliament; so, what Parliament chooses to do —
Mr Speaker, when one is a dual citizen, even in Parliament, what we need to do—I am particularly happy that you are in the Chair. What is the difference between allegiance to the state and citizenship? They cannot be the same legally. If one follows the Bilson v Apaloo Case, in the early days of the 1992 Constitution, when one owes allegiance to another state, the assumption is that when one is a dual citizen, his or her allegiance has shifted and they may not owe allegiance to the country of their birth or country of their nationality.
So, what we need to do, which one of our Colleagues, who I believe was the Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Transportation, tried to do in the last Parliament—We almost got it through. Mr Speaker, it was Mr Osei KyeiMensah-Bonsu and myself who discussed this and probably, that is why I am raising it. It came as a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Constitution, but the Constitution is weightier. If one wants to amend the Constitution, let it be the decision of the state. That is why the President is the Head of State, so the initiative must be that of the President. That he seeks to amend the Constitution in Article 8, and to allow for dual citizens to hold certain category of public offices
Mr Speaker, my concern, which we can deal with when we get to the lawmaking is that, it cannot be open to every other office. So, for an elected Member of Parliament (MP), he or she cannot be a dual citizen, and at the same time be an elected MP. But should we not amend the Constitution? As I said, allegiance of state is not the same thing.
Mr Speaker, while commending the maker of the Statement, I would like to conclude. Again, in paragraph 4 of his Statement, he says that “to assure this House that sooner than later, H. E. John Dramani Mahama would launch the Black Star Experience”. I met him tasking the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to take this initiative up and do what is appropriate so that it becomes an essential part of Ghana’s Independence Day Celebration.
It was the view of the President that this year is too close, but at least, into next year, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts would lead the President’s policy reforms in making the Black Star Experience a model to attract more tourism and tourists into our country, and for us to celebrate our culture and values as a people.
Mr Speaker, finally, today, the image of Ghana is soaring very high, and that is why we must work to preserve it. Just the transition of political power from a different political party to the other, adds to Ghana becoming a beacon of hope in the pursuit of multi-party constitutional democracy. What we need to do is to preserve our respect for the fundamentals of the rule of law and pray that Ghana does not move into the annals of a banana republic tomorrow, where we are not governed by law, but by the weight of some other person.
So, I would like to commend Mr James Gyakye Quayson for the Statement, and to urge him to take part when the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is leading the Black Star Experience initiative of the President, to drive his resetting agenda in the tourism sector. So, we have to amend Article 8(2) of the Constitution and probably, when we get there, we may have to look at Article 94. Again, the Constitutional Review Commission can take advantage of it, and citizens of Ghana abroad who feel strongly about it, including Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare and co., who were the team that kept coming to the Rt Hon
Speaker and your good self, urging us to make sure that we took off that path from our loss. I thank you
Hon Jerry Ahmed Shaib
Weija-Gbawe
Yes, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much for this opportunity. I commend highly the maker of the Statement.
Mr Speaker, if anyone paid attention to issues of Black History Month, I think the NPP did so very well with reference to the celebration of the Year of Return, and Beyond the Return. I also take a cue from my very senior mentor, who had to go into details of discussing issues of allegiance and citizenship.
Mr Speaker, we also are very wellversed with the knowledge that every citizen has responsibilities. So, if a citizen also wants to serve his state, there are due obligations for him to take up, including paying taxes and ensuring that whatever the person is doing in another country that he has taken up citizenship in, he is also providing same allegiance to his original country. We know as to whether one is allegiant or not cannot be measured.
Mr Speaker, we are here today to believe that the Constitution — looking at Chapter 3 of the Constitution, and in particular, Article 8(1), (2) and (3), there have been some amendments that we also have to pay attention to and understand that it is very important for anybody who wants to be seen as a Ghanaian to do so in whole, but not partially. Whole to the extent that they are true Ghanaians, and can be the Speaker of Parliament when they decide to do so tomorrow because they are qualified to do so.
Mr Speaker, as we are here today, we want to believe that if we put everything in proper perspective, tomorrow anybody who qualifies to have dual citizenship should have so without any problems. And such a person should also be able to contest an election without any problems. That is why on this note, I commend the maker of this Statement and more especially my senior learned Friend for also bringing in an aspect of the issue of allegiance. How does one prove allegiance? That is a matter which is very critical and we all have to pay attention to.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to contribute to this Statement.
Hon George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan
Cape Coast South
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I would also like to thank the maker of the Statement, Hon Gyakye Quayson, for making this important Statement.
Mr Speaker, the issue of Black History Month is a global one which is not for only Africa, but Africans in the diaspora and it is worth celebrating. That is why Americans have made it an important month for the history of the African people.
Mr Speaker, Africans or people of African descent have gone through various experiences in over a century. They have also excelled in many walks of life. Mr Speaker, wherever one goes in the world, there is an African who is doing something important. Therefore, it is no doubt that Africans are capable of doing what other races or shapes of people are doing in the world, but we do not celebrate ourselves enough, and it is important that we do so. In any field that is mentioned, there is an African there who has done extremely well.
At the top end of diplomacy, of politics, we have seen Africans who have occupied global positions, like the former United Nations SecretaryGeneral Mr Kofi Annan and many others, and they are still doing it. Mr Speaker, it is worth celebrating that— Nkrumah said, Africans are capable of managing our own affairs but sometimes we look like we are not capable of managing our own affairs. But we have managed affairs of other people, therefore, we should be capable of managing our own affairs. We are just not getting something right and those are the things we need to look at, and not have doubt in ourselves that we are actually capable of managing our own affairs.
Mr Speaker, some perspectives have been shared by my Hon Friend, the Minister for Education, on the issue of this dual citizenship. The maker of the Statement, who we know had a personal experience of this, was right in making the Statement. I do pray that eventually, we are able to revisit this Bill and make sure that Ghanaians, wherever they are, can come back home and make significant contributions to Ghana's economy. Mr Speaker, we get a lot of remittances from Ghanaians who are working and living abroad. Yet, when it comes to certain positions, the same Ghanaians who are making significant contributions to Ghana's economy cannot participate because of the citizenship issue.
We do have Ghanaians who have dual citizenship and do other things. I believe we have Ghanaians who have dual citizenship who play for the national team. So, if a person is good enough to play for the national team and is representing Ghana, and we have faith in him to do the right thing and make sure Ghana wins the matches, why is it not possible that the same Ghanaian can serve as a Member of Parliament or hold any political position without being suspected that that person will either not act in the interest of Ghana or that we have something to worry about? So, I think that issue needs to be revisited.
As the Minister for Education said, this Bill coming as a Private Member’s Bill, I think in itself was a bit problematic. It needs to be weightier; I do agree. It is an issue that we need to look at because every now and then, it becomes a problem which, I do not believe, serves the country well. We are losing people with certain expertise that can contribute to the country, but they fall short of doing so because of the challenges that they may encounter when they make that attempt to come home and help.
Mr Speaker, I take the opportunity again to thank the maker of this important Statement. With these few words, I would like to end here. Thank you very much.
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