Renowned American financial author and speaker Anthony O’Neal is set to be granted Ghanaian citizenship on March 5, in a ceremony that underscores the country’s expanding engagement with the African diaspora.
The YouTube personality, who commands an audience of more than one million subscribers, will receive citizenship as part of a broader state-backed initiative to reconnect with members of what officials describe as the Historic Diaspora Community. The move reflects Ghana’s policy of encouraging diasporans not only to trace cultural roots but also to contribute to national development.
For O’Neal, the milestone represents more than a symbolic homecoming. It comes as he prepares to roll out a new educational intervention in Ghana dubbed the “Class on the Bus” Initiative.
Vision for mobile classrooms
The initiative seeks to transform durable buses into fully equipped mobile classrooms capable of delivering structured lessons to underserved communities. According to the project outline, each vehicle will be fitted with student seating and workspaces, storage facilities, proper lighting and ventilation, and essential teaching materials. Premium versions are expected to incorporate digital tools, including tablets and interactive boards.
The concept is designed to respond to long-standing challenges within parts of the education system, including overcrowded classrooms, long distances travelled by pupils to access schooling and limited infrastructure in remote communities. By transporting learning directly to children, the project aims to bridge access gaps and widen opportunity.
Strategic partnership
The initiative is being developed in partnership with the Diaspora African Forum, also known as the Embassy of the Diaspora. Founded by Erieka Bennett, the organisation has played a prominent role in diaspora advocacy and engagement, providing diplomatic and institutional channels intended to strengthen such projects.
Through the collaboration, the mobile classroom plan is expected to benefit from structured governmental support and long-term sustainability mechanisms as it moves towards implementation.
The citizenship ceremony forms part of an ongoing process led by the Ministry of the Interior and the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President.
In a statement issued on February 10, 2026, the two institutions announced the commencement of the “Vetting of the Granting of Citizenship for the ‘Historic Diaspora Community’”, marking the next stage in the government’s diaspora engagement strategy.
“Applicants for the Historic Diaspora Community will be scheduled in batches for vetting at the Dubois Centre, Cantonments in Accra, starting February 11, 2026,” the statement said.
Officials cautioned against unscheduled appearances at the venue. “Applicants are also advised to wait for notification on their vetting schedule from the Ministry before visiting the centre to avoid overcrowding,” the statement added.
The authorities acknowledged the scale of interest in the programme, noting that demand has exceeded the available slots for the March ceremony.
“The Ministry acknowledges that due to the overwhelming number of applicants and the limited time frame for the ceremonial swearing-in scheduled for 5th March 2026, not all interested persons will be able to participate in the process,” it said.
However, the pathway to citizenship remains open beyond the ceremony. “The Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the Diaspora Affairs Office, assures all interested persons that the citizenship process remains open via registration, and no one will be disadvantaged,” the statement emphasised.
It further reiterated the state’s commitment to inclusion. “The Government of Ghana is committed to granting Ghanaian citizenship to all qualified applicants as part of its diaspora affairs initiative,” the release stated.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh