Ghana's Foreign Minister Announces Cabinet Approval for BRICS Application

Ghana has received its cabinet's endorsement to formally seek membership in the BRICS geopolitical and economic alliance. This announcement was made by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during the visit of his Indian counterpart.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ablakwa confirmed that Ghana had already approached India for support regarding its application. He characterized this strategic move as an effort to broaden the nation’s economic and diplomatic engagements. "The Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana should put in a formal application to join BRICS," Ablakwa stated to journalists, with India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, present.

BRICS, an organization of developing economies initially founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has seen significant expansion in recent years, primarily focusing on uniting countries within the global south. South Africa became a member shortly after its inception in 2009, with other nations like Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia joining since 2024. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also current members of the bloc.

Ablakwa further elaborated on the benefits of joining: "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," he explained.

While expressing support for Ghana's ambition, Jaishankar underscored that any new membership would necessitate careful deliberation by the broader BRICS collective.