Ghana Seeks BRICS Membership to Expand Economic Partnerships

Ghana’s Cabinet has approved plans for the country to formally apply to join BRICS, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced. Ablakwa made the disclosure on Tuesday during a visit by India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, saying Ghana had already sought India’s support for its application. He said the decision was aimed at diversifying Ghana’s economic and diplomatic partnerships while creating more opportunities for cooperation with countries across the Global South. “The Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana should put in a formal application to join BRICS,” Ablakwa told reporters alongside Jaishankar. He said membership would provide Ghana with additional economic options, broaden its partnerships and strengthen its engagement within the Global South framework.

BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China and has expanded significantly in recent years, with a focus on strengthening cooperation among emerging economies and countries in the Global South. South Africa joined the bloc shortly after its founding, while countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia have joined in subsequent years. Ghana’s proposed application would still need to be considered by the wider BRICS grouping. Jaishankar said India supports Ghana’s aspirations to join the bloc but stressed that the final decision would involve the other BRICS members. The move comes as Ghana seeks to widen its international economic and diplomatic relationships, with the government viewing BRICS membership as a potential avenue for greater cooperation, economic opportunities and stronger ties with countries across the developing world.

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