oluwatosin oyeniyi ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana is preparing to formally apply for membership of BRICS after President John Dramani Mahama’s Cabinet approved the move, as Accra seeks to diversify its international economic partnerships and expand opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision during a joint press briefing with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Accra.
Ablakwa said the government’s decision was driven by a desire to give Ghana more options in pursuing its economic development goals while maintaining its existing relationships with traditional partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
Ghana Seeks More Economic Options
According to Ablakwa, BRICS membership could help Ghana broaden its network of development and investment partners at a time when the government is pursuing a wider economic transformation agenda.
He said the government was moving from economic stabilisation towards what it describes as a “new economy”, with priorities including sustainable growth, job creation, industrialisation and greater value addition to Ghana’s natural resources.
The minister said Ghana was not seeking to abandon its existing relationships.
Rather, the government wants to expand its options by strengthening cooperation with emerging economies and countries in the Global South.
“We are not going to walk away from our traditional partners,” Ablakwa said, stressing that Ghana values its relationships with the IMF, World Bank and African multilateral financial institutions.
India Supports Ghana’s Bid
The announcement came as India’s Jaishankar visited Ghana, giving the proposed BRICS application an immediate diplomatic dimension.
Ablakwa said Ghana had already sought India’s support for its membership bid, citing the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Jaishankar said India was sympathetic to Ghana’s aspirations and development goals, but stressed that admission into BRICS would ultimately require consideration by the existing members of the grouping.
The two countries are also seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas including railways, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital technology, science and technology and defence.
Ghana sees India as an increasingly important economic partner. Ablakwa said bilateral trade had more than doubled from about $3 billion in 2024 to approximately $7 billion.
What BRICS Could Offer Ghana
Ghana’s interest in BRICS comes as the grouping has expanded beyond its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, while Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates became members in 2024. Indonesia joined in 2025. Ghana would therefore be seeking to enter a significantly larger grouping than the original BRIC framework.
For Accra, one attraction is the possibility of expanding economic cooperation with countries that have significant markets, investment capacity and demand for African commodities.
Ablakwa also linked the move to Ghana’s ambition to achieve greater “resource sovereignty” by processing more of its raw materials domestically rather than exporting commodities without substantial value addition.
The government hopes expanded partnerships can support industrialisation, create jobs and attract investment into sectors where Ghana wants to build domestic capacity.
Membership Is Not Guaranteed
Cabinet approval marks an important step, but it does not guarantee Ghana admission into BRICS.
The government must still submit its formal application and engage existing members to secure support. Final admission requires the collective consideration of BRICS members.
That means Ghana’s diplomatic engagement will be important in the months ahead as it makes its case to the countries that already belong to the grouping.
The application also comes at a time when BRICS is increasingly being presented as a platform for countries seeking greater influence in global economic and political governance. Its members have pushed for stronger cooperation among developing economies and reforms to international institutions.
A Broader Foreign Policy Strategy
Ghana’s proposed BRICS membership reflects a broader effort to diversify its international relationships rather than replace one set of partners with another.
The Mahama administration has described its foreign policy in terms of greater strategic flexibility, economic independence and participation in a more multipolar international system.
For Ghana, the challenge will be translating that diversification into measurable economic benefits.
Membership by itself would not guarantee increased investment, industrial growth or improved trade. The value of the move will depend largely on the agreements Ghana secures, the sectors that attract investment and its ability to convert diplomatic relationships into productive economic partnerships.
For now, Accra is taking the first formal step. The next stage will be submitting the application and persuading BRICS members that Ghana’s economic and diplomatic interests align with the grouping’s expanding agenda.
