THE ZONGOS, CITIZENSHIP, HISTORY, AND CUSTOMARY LEGITIMACY
**THE SIXTEENTH (SEVENTH) REGION OF GHANA:
THE ZONGOS, CITIZENSHIP, HISTORY, AND CUSTOMARY LEGITIMACY**
The sovereign state of Ghana is a unitary republic made up of territories organized into regions. Administratively, Ghana currently has sixteen regions. However, political thinkers, historians, and social commentators have long argued that there exists another non-geographical but national region—the Zongos of Ghana—spread across every part of the country.
For this reason, Zongos are often described as the “Seventh Region” of Ghana, not in the sense of physical boundaries, but as a nationwide socio-political community with shared history, identity, and constitutional citizenship.
It is a political reality that no serious political party in Ghana can ignore the Zongo communities. Major political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have formally recognized Zongos, established Zongo caucuses, and articulated policies treating Zongos as a unified national constituency. Communities such as Nima, Mamobi, Ashaiman, Asawase, Aboabo, Sabon Zongo, Zongo-Lane, and countless others are living proof that Zongos exist in every region of Ghana.
Yet, despite this recognition, Zongo communities continue to suffer from a persistent and harmful problem: the questioning of their legitimacy as Ghanaians.
THE ZONGO: FROM ISOLATED QUARTERS TO THE “UNITED NATIONS” OF GHANA
Historically, Zongos emerged as Muslim quarters, often settled by traders, scholars, and migrants who lived slightly apart from indigenous towns. Over time, however, Zongos evolved. Today, the Zongo is best described as the “United Nations of Ghana”—a space where almost every Ghanaian ethnic group and many West African peoples coexist.
Zongos are home to:
- Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagomba, Gonja, Mamprusi, Dagarti
- Hausa, Fulani, Wangara (Dyula), Mossi, Yoruba, Nupe
- And many others
Many families in Zongos have lived in Ghana for hundreds of years, spanning generations through birth, intermarriage, adoption, customary integration, and constitutional citizenship.
Yet, some individuals—and even some officials—still label Zongo residents as “foreigners” or “non-Ghanaians.” This label is factually wrong, legally false, historically ignorant, and constitutionally dangerous.
**HISTORY DID NOT BEGIN IN 1957:
THE WANGARA, HAUSA, FULANI, AND OTHERS**
Long before colonial borders and modern Ghana, Wangara traders, Dyula merchants, Hausa scholars, and Fulani pastoralists were already living and trading in the territories that now form Ghana.
They were present in:
- Ancient Bono and Begho
- Gonja and Dagbon
- Wa, Mamprugu, and northern forest states
- Even within Asante, where Muslim communities served as diplomats, traders, and scholars
These people did not come as strangers. They:
- Paid allegiance to local chiefs and kings
- Intermarried with indigenous populations
- Served as advisors, traders, clerics, and settlers
- Became part of the customary fabric of Ghanaian societies
To suggest today that Hausa, Fulani, Wangara, or Zongo descendants are “foreigners” is to deny Ghana’s own precolonial history.
**CUSTOMARY LAW AND CHIEFTAINCY:
THE FIRST GRANTORS OF BELONGING**
Before constitutions and passports, customary law and chieftaincy governed belonging in Ghana.
Under Ghanaian customary law:
- A stranger who is accepted by a chief,
- given land to settle,
- allowed to marry,
- permitted to farm, trade, worship, and raise children,
becomes part of the community.
This is why across Ghana:
- Zongos have chiefs (Zongo chiefs, Imams, heads of families)
- Zongo lands were granted by stools and skins
- Zongo communities pay respect to paramount chiefs and traditional councils
Article 270 of the 1992 Constitution recognizes chieftaincy as a legitimate institution. Therefore, customary acceptance and settlement cannot be ignored when discussing legitimacy and belonging.
If a people have lived under a stool or skin for generations, they are no longer strangers in any meaningful sense.
CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE 1992 CONSTITUTION: THE LAW IS CLEAR
Citizenship in Ghana is governed by the 1992 Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 2000 (Act 591).
Citizenship may be acquired by:
- Birth
- Marriage
- Registration
- Naturalization
- Adoption
- Foundling
- Honorary grant
- Dual citizenship
Citizenship by Birth
Anyone born in Ghana qualifies as a citizen by birth under Article 6 and Act 591.
This includes all persons born in Zongo communities.
Citizenship by birth cannot be revoked, and it is the highest form of citizenship in Ghana. Only citizens by birth can become President under Article 62(2)(a).
Citizenship by Marriage, Naturalization, Adoption
These pathways are widely used in Zongo communities and are fully protected by law. Even if a marriage ends, citizenship remains unless voluntarily renounced.
Dual Citizenship
Since 1996, Ghanaians may hold dual citizenship. Many Zongo residents fall within this category and remain full Ghanaian citizens, subject only to limited office restrictions.
THE NDC AND THE “SEVENTH REGION” IDEA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has consistently recognized Zongos as a national constituency—often politically described as the “Seventh Region” of Ghana.
This idea does not currently exist in the 1992 Constitution. However, it represents a policy and political vision that reflects reality:
- Zongos exist everywhere
- Zongos are permanent
- Zongos are Ghanaian
- Zongos are politically significant
Just as Ghana has created:
- special development authorities,
- decentralized local governance,
- and constitutionally protected institutions,
there is no constitutional barrier to recognizing Zongos as a special national socio-political region, whether through:
- constitutional amendment, or
- enabling legislation.
WHY CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION MAKES SENSE
Recognizing the Zongo as a national “Seventh Region” would:
- End confusion about belonging
- Reduce discrimination in documentation (Ghana Card, passport)
- Protect historically settled trading communities
- Affirm Ghana’s plural identity
- Strengthen national unity, not weaken it
This recognition would be consistent with:
- Article 6 (Citizenship)
- Article 17 (Freedom from discrimination)
- Article 35(5) (National integration)
- Article 270 (Chieftaincy)
CONCLUSION: ENOUGH OF THE MISLABELING
The persistent labeling of Zongo people as non-Ghanaians is wrong in law, wrong in history, and wrong in custom.
Because of this mislabeling, some Zongo residents feel forced to change their ethnic identity simply to access basic services. This is unhealthy for national unity.
As the proverb says, “No matter how long a piece of wood stays in water, it can never become a crocodile.”
Likewise, calling Zongo people foreigners will never make them so.
Before anyone calls a Zongo resident a non-Ghanaian, let them prove it with constitutional evidence. Otherwise, they should hold their peace.
Zongos are Ghana.
Their people are citizens.
Their history is Ghana’s history.
Enough is enough.
BY HAJIA NADIA ALHASSAN IV
TEL:0302986560
