Membership Is Not Strategy: Ghana, BRICS And The Discipline Of Clubs

On October 6th, Ghana's Foreign Minister announced the country's intent to formally apply to join BRICS. India's External Affairs Minister pledged support, but clarified that Ghana's application is not for full membership. Ghana has long been a member of various international organizations, including the UN, AU, ECOWAS, IMF, and World Bank.

The real question is whether Ghana has the strategic clarity and state capacity to extract value from any club. BRICS offers several levels of association, with partner countries attending summits and some meetings but not shaping decisions. Joining BRICS as a partner offers several benefits, including a low-cost hedge in a fragmenting world and improved leverage.

However, there are also risks, such as sanctions exposure, retaliation, unequal partnership terms, and internal divisions within BRICS. Ghana's record shows that belonging to a club does not guarantee benefits. The government has been cautious, stating that it is not walking away from the IMF, the World Bank, or Europe. The early evidence from Africa suggests that BRICS membership can bring benefits, but it is essential to join with eyes open and a plan to manage each risk.