Trump deals with Putin, so why should Ghana fear BRICS? – Ablakwa asks

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended Ghana's pursuit of BRICS membership, asserting that the United States' own dealings with Russia prove the importance of pursuing national interests. During an appearance on JoyNews' Newsfile on October 17, 2026, Ablakwa pointed to President Donald Trump's recent diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin as an example of strategic decision-making by the US.

Ablakwa argued that Ghana should not be deterred from building relationships with BRICS countries while the US continued to engage with them economically. Despite critics urging Ghana to be fearful of President Trump's influence, Ablakwa noted that Trump was still interacting with BRICS nations, specifically securing a diesel deal with Putin ahead of midterm elections.

He also highlighted China's ongoing economic ties with the US, reinforcing the idea that cooperation can persist even in the face of political differences. Ablakwa tied Ghana's aspirations in BRICS to the vision of the country's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, viewing the move as consistent with his pursuit of international solidarity and economic independence.

This stance came after the opposition New Patriotic Party raised concerns about the impact of closer BRICS engagement on Ghana's relationship with Washington. On October 6, Ablakwa announced that the Cabinet had approved Ghana's application to join BRICS, citing the move as a way to diversify international partnerships and open up trade, investment, and economic cooperation opportunities.

The diesel agreement between Trump and Putin, which was announced on October 9, was reported by Reuters to involve Russia supplying over 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, with efforts to lower fuel prices. The arrangement included easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports, a move criticized by Ukraine and some US lawmakers as potentially funding Moscow's war effort.