Ghana moves to join BRICS

Ghana’s government has approved plans to formally apply for membership of BRICS, as President John Dramani Mahama’s administration seeks to expand the country’s economic and diplomatic partnerships.

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision on Tuesday during a visit by India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Ablakwa said Ghana had already sought India’s support for its application to join the bloc of emerging economies.

“The Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana should put in a formal application to join BRICS,” he told reporters alongside Jaishankar.

He said membership would provide Ghana with greater economic options, broaden its partnerships and strengthen cooperation with countries across the Global South.

“Joining India in BRICS will give us economic options, will diversify our base and our partnerships, and will also allow us to have more cooperation within the global south framework,” Ablakwa said.

Jaishankar welcomed Ghana’s interest and said India supported the country’s aspirations, while noting that its membership application would have to be considered by the wider BRICS grouping.

BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China and has expanded significantly in recent years, with South Africa joining in 2011.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia are among countries that have since joined the expanded grouping.

Ghana’s application would further widen BRICS’ membership as the bloc seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation among countries of the Global South.