Using Trump's gold card initiative to reset Ghana

While seemingly worlds apart, Donald J. Trump and Ghanaian businessman and politician Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, share a fascinating and controversial commonality: a willingness to monetise citizenship as a catalyst for economic development. What initially seemed like lofty ambitions from Bediako now carries a newfound resonance in light of Trump's recent policy decision.

On September 1, 2024, at the launch of his "New Force" manifesto, Bediako unveiled an ambitious 12-pillar plan for Ghana's economic future.

A key component involved offering one million Ghanaian citizenships to Africans across the continent for $50,000 each. This initiative, he argued, would generate $50 billion for industrial investment, representing phase one of a larger strategy to empower Africans, including those in the diaspora, to take the reins of their continent's development. Dismissed by some as fanciful, Bediako's vision now appears less outlandish in the context of Trump's recent actions.

On February 25, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order introducing a "Gold Card" programme, offering residency and a pathway to citizenship to immigrants willing to invest $5 million in the United States.

Unlike existing Green Card holders who primarily seek employment, Gold Card recipients are intended to be investors, injecting capital and creating jobs. Trump predicts that this initiative will attract "millions and millions" of investors, significantly boosting the American economy.

The similarity between these two seemingly disparate proposals lies in the recognition that citizenship, or at least the path towards it, holds significant economic value. Both Trump and Bediako, despite their vastly different political landscapes and goals, are leveraging this value to attract investment and stimulate growth.

While Trump's plan is geared towards attracting wealthy investors from around the globe, Bediako's focuses specifically on the African continent and diaspora. This distinction highlights a critical difference in intent. Bediako's plan, while undeniably financially driven, also carries a strong undertone of Pan-Africanism, aiming to empower and unite Africans across geographical boundaries through a shared sense of citizenship and responsibility.

Looking at Bediako's proposal through the lens of Trump's Gold Card programme reveals a practical potential previously overlooked. Consider the possibilities within Nigeria alone: with a rigorous vetting process, the initial one million citizenship slots could be readily filled, generating the envisioned $50 billion.

This substantial sum could then be strategically deployed to address critical infrastructural and industrial needs in Ghana. Imagine the impact of a nuclear power plant, a high-speed railway network from south to north, the revival of Nkrumah's legacy factories, $10 billion Mahama's Big Push projects, comprehensive upgrades to the road infrastructure and other important projects.

Of course, ethical considerations surrounding the commercialisation of citizenship are paramount. Concerns about equitable access and potential exploitation, are legitimate and require careful consideration.

However, the potential benefits of such a programme, particularly in the context of a developing nation like Ghana whose economy is shredded because of the mismanagement of the previous New Patriotic Party government, cannot be ignored.

Ultimately, the shared vision of Trump and Bediako underscores a fundamental truth: citizenship, in its various forms, is a valuable asset that can be leveraged for economic development.

The success of either initiative will depend on careful planning, transparent execution, and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably among all stakeholders. Whether a "Gold Card" or a Ghanaian citizenship programme, the key lies in harnessing the power of investment to reset the Ghana we all want.