Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:01:08 +0200
<http://www.theafricareport.com/West-Africa/government-alarmed-as-more-ghana
ians-ditch-nationality.html> Government alarmed as more Ghanaians ditch
nationality
By Dasmani Laary
16 July, 2014 15:47
The high cost of living in Ghana forced 817 people mostly women to relocate
to other countries after renouncing their citizenship in 2013, the
government said on Monday.
All the 450 females and 367 males who sought citizenship in Germany,
Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Hong Kong and China were granted.
Almost every week, people come over to naturalise as Germans unlike in
previous times
The majority of the applicants were health professionals, mostly doctors and
nurses, who were offered job opportunities with better conditions in the
countries that do not accept dual citizenship.
Germany led the way by granting 538 people from Ghana citizenship followed
by Netherlands (233), Norway (32), Denmark (7), Austria (5) and Hong Kong as
well as China with one each.
Interior minister Kwasi Ahwoi told journalists at a 'meet-the-press series'
meeting that the main motive for the renunciation was "economic reasons."
A top official in the ministry responsible for the migration unit described
the situation as very alarming.
"The rate at which Ghanaians are naturalising as Germans is alarming.
"Almost every week, people come over to naturalise as Germans unlike in
previous times, when they go seeking for greener pastures," he said.
In contrast 39 foreigners Ghanaians citizenship and 29 applications were
approved while the remaining 10 are outstanding.
Of these, 17 people were Lebanese, five Indians and one each from Nigeria,
Korea, Egypt, America, Britain and Liberia.
Ahwoi pledged government's commitment to ensure all agencies collaborate to
provide safe and secure environment for economic activities to thrive and
consolidate the nation's middle income status.
The Monetary Policy Committee of Bank of Ghana raised the policy rate by 100
basis points after the committee's meeting on July 9, while the government
statistician also announced that year-on-year inflation soared to 15.0% in
June from 14.8%, in May.
Ghana's transport union increased transport fares on Monday by 15% lower
than the simultaneous surge in fuel prices over 20%.
The price of petrol (premium) was up by 23.08% translating a litre of the
commodity, which, hitherto, sold at GH˘2.73 per litre is now GH˘3.36 a
litre.
The development has pushed up prices of basic food stuffs like plantain,
yam, cassava, and other local staples, while house rents are also steadily
moving upwards with weak regulatory body to control it.
File PhotoİReuters
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