Ghana not seeking full BRICS membership, applying as Partner Country – Ablakwa

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the country is not aiming for full membership in BRICS, but rather intends to apply as a Partner Country. Speaking to TV3’s Key Points, the Minister explained that Ghana already maintains strong relations with BRICS member countries and will join natural allies as part of the largest trading bloc today.

The decision to become a Partner Country is driven by the desire to prioritize national interests, as outlined in Article 40 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution.

BRICS comprises eleven major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Ablakwa emphasized that joining BRICS will serve as a valuable platform for consultation and cooperation on contemporary global and regional issues.

He further dispelled concerns that the decision might impact Ghana's relationships with its traditional partner countries, stating that it instead reinforces the nation's policy of non-alignment. This policy allowed President Kwame Nkrumah to secure support from the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, supporting significant projects like the Akosombo Dam and Africa's first atomic energy program.

Prior to the announcement, Ablakwa noted that Ghana engaged with European Union member states, clearly communicating the rationale behind its decision. This decision was made within Ghana's right to diversify strategic options for development. The BRICS group has evolved since its inception as BRIC in 2006, with the addition of South Africa in 2010.

Since then, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have become full members, while Indonesia joined in January 2025. As for Ghana, a successful application would grant it Partner Country status, equal to the non-full member countries.