Ghana is set to formally apply for membership of BRICS following Cabinet approval, as the government moves to diversify its international economic partnerships, attract investment and accelerate the country’s industrial transformation.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in Accra on Tuesday, describing it as a significant step towards expanding Ghana’s development options and strengthening its position in the evolving global economic order.
According to him, the decision forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader economic transformation agenda, which seeks to move Ghana beyond economic stabilisation towards sustainable growth, job creation, industrialisation and greater control over its natural resources.
“Another major highlight which I am disclosing to the Ghanaian people for the first time is that the Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana should put in a formal application to join BRICS,” he disclosed.
BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that seeks to strengthen cooperation among its members and promote reforms in global economic and political governance.
Mr Ablakwa explained that Ghana’s proposed membership would provide access to additional development partnerships and investment opportunities while strengthening economic cooperation with countries of the Global South.
He stressed that the move was not intended to undermine Ghana’s existing relationships with traditional development partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“You do know that we are members of the IMF, we are members of the World Bank, and we are also founding members of the African multilateral financial institutions.
“But BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in development, and you want to have options,” he stated.
The Foreign Affairs Minister maintained that diversifying Ghana’s international partnerships was necessary to reduce dependence on a limited number of development institutions and create greater flexibility in pursuing national economic priorities.
“We are not going to walk away from our traditional partners who value that relationship, but we must have new friends,” he emphasised.
Ghana Targets Investment, Industrialisation and Resource Sovereignty
Mr Ablakwa said the government’s proposed engagement with BRICS was consistent with its seven-pillar new economy agenda, which prioritises job creation, investment, industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
He explained that Ghana was seeking partnerships that would support the processing of its natural resources locally rather than perpetuating dependence on raw material exports.
“We want resource sovereignty where we can be treated as equal partners. We don’t want a situation where we continue to export raw materials.
“We want to add value to the natural resources that we have. And we want to work with partners who have the same shared history and shared commitments,” he said.
According to him, the government is determined to establish economic relationships that will facilitate technology transfer, industrial development and greater participation by Ghanaian businesses in international value chains.
He argued that increased competition among international development partners could provide Ghana with more favourable opportunities to pursue its economic transformation agenda.
The Minister also expressed support for a multipolar global system in which developing countries would have greater freedom to determine their development priorities without excessive dependence on a small number of international institutions.
Ghana Deepens Economic Ties With India, China and Brazil
Mr Ablakwa identified India, China and Brazil as important economic partners whose relationships with Ghana could be further strengthened through BRICS membership.
He cited growing trade relations between Ghana and India, indicating that bilateral trade had more than doubled from approximately US$3 billion in 2024 to about US$7 billion.
“So this is an important partner,” he said.
He also acknowledged China’s significant role in Ghana’s economy, noting that stronger cooperation with emerging economies could create additional opportunities for investment, infrastructure development and industrial growth.
The Minister said Ghana maintained strong diplomatic relations with the founding BRICS countries, including Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as newer members of the grouping.
He expressed confidence that these longstanding relationships would provide a foundation for Ghana’s membership application.
Mr Ablakwa further recalled the historical relationship between Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
He noted that both leaders played prominent roles in the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement, laying the foundation for decades of diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
India Backs Ghana’s Aspirations, Says Decision Rests With BRICS Members
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that Ghana had formally sought India’s support for its proposed membership of BRICS.
He said the government was encouraged by the response from India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who was in Accra on an official visit.
Responding to Ghana’s request, Dr Jaishankar acknowledged the country’s interest in joining the grouping and reaffirmed India’s longstanding support for Ghana’s development aspirations.
He explained that BRICS brought together countries from different geographical regions that shared an interest in independent decision-making and greater flexibility in international relations.
“BRICS itself is a gathering of countries who have a strong independence of thought, who want to have a freedom of choice, who believe that they’re coming together from very diverse geographies strengthens each one of them when they are part of a collective,” he stated.
Dr Jaishankar indicated that Ghana’s interest in joining the bloc was understandable, considering the growing importance of BRICS in international economic cooperation.
However, he clarified that India’s support alone would not guarantee Ghana’s admission, as membership decisions required collective consideration by existing members.
“Obviously, this is an issue of collective consideration. So we have to see how that goes forward,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana would proceed with preparations for its formal application while engaging existing BRICS members to secure the necessary diplomatic support.
BRICS Expands Global Economic Influence
BRICS originated as BRIC, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, with its first foreign ministers’ meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2006.
The grouping held its first summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, before South Africa joined in 2011, resulting in the adoption of the acronym BRICS.
The bloc subsequently expanded to include additional emerging economies, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates identified among countries joining in January 2024, followed by Indonesia in January 2025.
The grouping is reported to comprise 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Its partner-country framework has also expanded to include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
BRICS provides a platform for cooperation on international trade, investment, economic development and reforms to global governance institutions.
For Ghana, the proposed membership represents an effort to widen its diplomatic and economic options while pursuing industrialisation, value addition and greater participation in international economic decision-making.
The government’s next step will be to submit its formal application and engage existing members as Ghana seeks to secure a place within the expanding economic grouping.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
