Mahama reaffirms Ghana’s non-aligned foreign policy amid BRICS partnership bid

President John Mahama has emphasized Ghana's adherence to a non-aligned foreign policy amid his country's bid to establish a partnership with the BRICS bloc. He dismissed suggestions that his recent visit to Russia indicates a shift towards the East, stating that such interpretations are unwarranted. Mahama explained that Ghana's decision to pursue BRICS partnership status was consistent with its non-aligned stance, without seeking full membership.

He drew a parallel between Ghana's approach and that of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who famously stated, "We neither face East nor West; we face forward," to encapsulate the country's non-aligned foreign policy. Mahama clarified that his administration did not initiate the recommendation for Ghana to pursue BRICS partnership but rather inherited and acted upon the proposal made by a previous ministerial committee under the NPP administration.

Regarding the nature of Ghana's BRICS partnership, Mahama emphasized the distinction between partnership status and full membership, likening the agreement to Ghana's existing Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with European countries. He underscored that such international partnerships are in line with Ghana's commitment to maintaining balanced relations with various regions of the world.

President Mahama reiterated his administration's commitment to being friends with all nations and enemies of none, reaffirming that Ghana remains steadfast in its policy of non-alignment while pursuing opportunities for economic engagement, trade, and investment through its BRICS partnership.