Joining BRICS won't fix Ghana's economic problems – Dr Elvis Botah

Ghana's decision to seek closer ties with BRICS has raised questions about what benefits the country might gain. However, Dr Elvis Botah, an International Relations Analyst and Development Consultant, is skeptical that membership alone will significantly improve Ghana's economy. He believes that the primary issue facing Ghana is an economic one, and that simply joining BRICS will not solve the country's problems.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has stated that Ghana aims to secure BRICS partner-country status, rather than immediate full membership. While the partnership is expected to create new economic opportunities, Dr Botah warns that Ghana risks pursuing a diplomatic goal without addressing the structural weaknesses that are hindering its economy.

He emphasizes that if Ghana is to join BRICS, it must first develop an industrial strategy. Joining BRICS without this strategy could leave Ghana disadvantaged in its dealings with industrial powers like China, India, Brazil, and Russia.

Ghana's continued reliance on raw material exports could put it at a disadvantage in negotiations with these countries. Dr Botah suggests that Ghana should focus on local processing of cocoa, gold, and other minerals, with support for technology transfer and industrial investment. Without these steps, he argues, Ghana could simply become a market for goods produced by the stronger economies within BRICS.

He urges the government to set clear economic targets for the next five to ten years, emphasizing that Ghana's ability to benefit from BRICS will depend on its domestic economic strategy, not just membership in the group.