Ghana to apply for BRICS membership – Ablakwa

Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa announced on Tuesday that the country plans to formally apply for membership in BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies. The decision, approved by the Cabinet, aims to diversify Ghana's international partnerships and expand opportunities for economic development. Ablakwa stated that the move aligns with the vision of the Mahama administration to move beyond economic stabilization towards transformative growth, driven by diversified international cooperation, investment, and industrialization.

The new economy agenda of the Ghanaian government is anchored on seven pillars and requires partnerships that will create jobs, attract investment, and enable Ghana to derive greater value from its natural resources. BRICS membership would provide additional development opportunities while complementing, rather than replacing, Ghana's existing relationships with traditional development partners, including the IMF, the World Bank, and the African multilateral financial institutions.

Ablakwa highlighted that Ghana maintains excellent relations with the founding members of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, and China – as well as its newer members. He noted the growth in trade between Ghana and India, with the trade volume more than doubling from about $3 billion in 2024 to approximately $7 billion. China remains a significant economic player in Ghana.

The proposed membership would deepen Ghana's cooperation with countries of the Global South and support the government's economic transformation agenda, focusing on sustainable economic growth, job creation, industrialization, and resource sovereignty.