Over 2,000 Signatures: The Process Must Match the Promise
Greetings family,

To our first 2,000+ signatories: thank you.

Your signatures, shares, comments, conversations, and trust have made this public moment possible. Thank you for trusting The Black Agenda to help be a voice of the voiceless and to carry the concerns of those who have too often been left unheard in decisions that directly affect their lives, families, futures, and right of return.

You are the founding public voice of this petition.

More than 2,000 people have now signed the petition calling on President John Dramani Mahama to address citizenship, fairness, affordability, transparency, accountability, and representation for the historic diaspora in Ghana.

On June 1, an interim submission was made with 1,890 signatures. Since then, even more people have added their voices, pushing the petition beyond the 2,000-signature mark. That growth matters. It shows that the call did not stop with the interim submission. The voice of the people has continued to rise.

When the recent citizenship process opened, more than 2,000 people reportedly expressed interest in becoming citizens. Today, this petition has crossed the same public threshold. They may not be the same individuals, but the parallel is meaningful: private interest has become public demand.

What began as interest in citizenship has now become a public call for a process that reflects justice, repair, dignity, and representation.

Many voices are saying clearly:

The process must match the promise.

Ghana has made a powerful promise to the historic diaspora through words of welcome, public ceremonies, national symbolism, and international leadership. Now the actual citizenship process must reflect that promise.

We are calling for restoring reparative citizenship in principle and in practice.

That begins with seats at the table.

We are calling for seats, plural, because this issue affects individuals, families, organizations, communities, and generations. Representation must come before decisions are finalized, requirements are imposed, fees are announced, and people are left trying to understand a process they had no role in shaping.

The points in this petition were not written in isolation. They came directly from the 3rd Black Agenda town hall meeting, where the people spoke plainly about what they have experienced, what they need, and what must change.

That is why representation matters.

When the people directly affected have seats at the table, problematic requirements can be examined before they create unnecessary barriers. Exorbitant cash requirements, DNA concerns, unclear deadlines, confusing procedures, poor communication, and shifting expectations can be challenged before they exclude or discourage hundreds of people.

Seats at the table mean individual members can be heard.

Seats at the table mean organizational members can be heard.

Seats at the table mean organizations and individuals who stand on principle can be heard.

Seats at the table mean the voice of the people becomes part of the process from the beginning, before damage has already been done.

This petition offers a different model from the lack of transparency and accountability that has left so many feeling ignored, frustrated, or shut out. The demands come directly from the people. The concerns come directly from lived experience. The call is clear: those affected must have real representation in shaping the way forward.

With those seats occupied, the practical issues that have frustrated so many can finally be addressed directly.

That means fair fees, especially in light of the reported GHS 25,000 citizenship application fee and related administrative costs that many have raised serious concerns about.

It means clear requirements, reasonable timelines, transparent communication, and a process designed around repair rather than exclusion.

It also means accountability: published timelines, clear points of contact, transparent explanations of requirements, and regular updates so applicants are not left in uncertainty.

We respect Ghana’s right to define its laws and procedures. We are asking that those laws and procedures reflect the welcome Ghana has already extended and the historic relationship Ghana continues to claim with the global Black family.

This issue has become a concrete point of connection for Black people on the continent and throughout the historic diaspora. It brings together questions of belonging, repair, dignity, movement, investment, family, representation, and Ghana’s opportunity to lead in a way that the people can truly feel.

For years, social media platforms have too often rewarded conflict between Black people on the continent and Black people throughout the historic diaspora. Misunderstandings are amplified. Insults travel faster than serious dialogue. Division is pushed to the surface, while cooperation is often buried.

Yet this petition shows something different.

Around this issue, people are finding common ground, shared interest, and a practical path forward. That matters. It cuts through the noise and tears through the forces that benefit when we are kept arguing with each other instead of building together.

We have also received a heartfelt video from one of the petition signatories. It is truly touching and inspiring. It reminds us that behind every signature is a person, a family, a story, and a reason for standing with this call.

Now we are asking others to do the same.

Please record a short selfie video explaining why you signed this petition and why this issue matters to you. It does not have to be polished. It does not have to be long. Speak from the heart.

Please only share what you are comfortable making public. Do not include private immigration documents, passport numbers, employer details, or other sensitive personal data. Your signature already matters. Your comment already matters. Your video can help even more, but no one should feel pressured to share private details they do not want permanently public.

You can begin with one of these lines:

“I signed this petition because…”

“The process must match the promise because…”

Then share your video with your family, friends, organizations, and networks. Post it with the petition link and encourage others to sign, comment, and share. You may also upload your video to AbibitumiTV, YouTube, Vimeo, or your preferred platform and paste the link in the Change.org comments so others can see and share it.

Petition link:
https://www.change.org/ghanacitizenship

Your comments already show the depth of this moment. To respect privacy while honoring the voices of our signatories, we are using first names and last initials here.

Christian B. wrote:

“I am willing to be a part of this journey.”
Maxine M. wrote:

“Please grant us citizenship in a more affordable way, one that we all can afford.”
Trevor M. reminded us:

“True citizenship should never be bought because of the value that it will bring to a country in more ways than one.”
Jack B. stated:

“This petition highlights a system that invites people to Ghana, only to burden them with high fees, unclear timelines, and rigid requirements.”
Israel J. added:

“Great step in the right direction! This is needed throughout Africa for descendants of the slave trade.”
These voices reflect broad support and a growing call for fairness, repair, belonging, accountability, and representation.

Now that we have crossed 2,000 signatures, the next goal is clear:

2,500 signatures.

Please help us reach that next threshold today.

Sign the petition.
Share the petition.
Record a short video.
Ask others to do the same.

Petition link:
https://www.change.org/ghanacitizenship

The numbers are growing. The message is clear. The people are speaking.

The process must match the promise.

We are restoring reparative citizenship in principle and in practice.