Ghana’s bold BRICS gamble: Mahama and the new geopolitics of a changing world

On April 2, 2025, Donald Trump declared "Liberation Day" in the United States of America, announcing a new era of 'reciprocal tariffs' that would be imposed on nearly all countries. This move marked a significant shift in global power dynamics, reflecting a decade-long trend toward far-right politics and protectionism in the West.

President John Mahama, following his swearing-in as Ghana's leader, recognized this changing landscape and outlined his plans for positioning Ghana within it. Ghana's decision to join the emerging BRICS organization, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is seen as a bold geopolitical maneuver in response to the changing global order.

The BRICS organization, an acronym formed from the founding members' names, focuses largely on economic issues such as facilitating trade among member nations and combating the dominance of the U.S dollar in international finance. By joining BRICS, Ghana would gain access to the New Development Bank, which offers more favorable financing terms for projects in affiliated countries.

While Ghana's decision to join BRICS does not necessarily mean severing ties with the U.S and other Western powers, it does signal a firm stance against the U.S. and its geopolitical rivals. The organization's shift beyond its economic mandate to embrace issues like climate change and terrorism further underscores this geopolitical realignment.