BRICS: Cabinet’s decision is that we should begin as a partner country - Ablakwa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, responded to Minority concerns about Ghana's decision to apply for BRICS membership. He accused the Minority of having double standards in their objections. The Akufo-Addo government considered BRICS members' advice and established a ministerial committee to examine the matter, the report of which is available.

The minister stated that Ghana should recognize the importance of BRICS' founding vision and express interest in joining the bloc. He believed the Minority would have also come to the same conclusion as the Mahama government. The Minority in Parliament has called for an urgent briefing on the proposed BRICS membership, urging Parliament to assess the economic, diplomatic, and national interest implications before proceeding with the application.

Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, acknowledged potential benefits such as access to alternative financing and broader international partnerships, but warned of adverse implications for the country's national interests. He questioned why Ghana wasn't pursuing a similar approach like Nigeria, which is a BRICS partner and a member of the New Development Bank, instead of seeking full membership.

Jinapor called for Parliament to examine the conditions attached to BRICS financing and determine if membership would lead to greater financial independence for Ghana. He emphasized that Ghana's foreign policy should prioritize national interests and urged the Foreign Affairs Minister to brief the House on the decision's full details, implications for the national economy, national interest, and Ghana's standing in the international community.