Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has clarified that Ghana’s BRICS partner country application will be the government’s immediate objective, rather than a direct bid for full membership of the emerging economies grouping.
Mr Ablakwa said Cabinet had decided that Ghana should begin its formal engagement with BRICS at partner country level and assess the relationship before considering full membership.
“We want to start as a partner country, and then we will gradually progress into full membership as the situation evolves,” he said.
The clarification follows his October 6 announcement that Cabinet had approved Ghana’s decision to formally seek entry into BRICS, which initially prompted debate over whether the country was immediately pursuing full membership.
Ablakwa Says National Interest Driving Decision
Mr Ablakwa said the move was guided by Ghana’s national interest and the need to broaden the country’s economic and diplomatic options.
“We are being strategic. We are looking at our national interest,” he said.
He argued that Ghana already enjoys strong bilateral relations with BRICS countries and could use the platform to deepen cooperation with major emerging economies.
BRICS currently has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
The partner country category was created in 2024 and currently includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
If Ghana’s application succeeds at the partner level, it would therefore join countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and Malaysia without immediately assuming full membership status.
Government Says Traditional Partnerships Will Continue
The Foreign Affairs Minister also rejected suggestions that closer ties with BRICS would require Ghana to move away from Western partners.
He said the approach was consistent with Ghana’s longstanding non-aligned foreign policy and its ability to maintain relationships with competing global powers.
Earlier this week, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana would not “walk away from our traditional partners,” arguing that BRICS would instead give the country additional development options.
He disclosed that the government had engaged European Union member states before publicly announcing the decision and had explained that Ghana was seeking to diversify its strategic relationships rather than disengage from existing partners.
BRICS Application to Follow Formal Process
Ghana will still need the support of BRICS countries for its application to succeed.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said during his recent visit to Accra that Ghana’s interest was understandable but noted that admission decisions require collective consideration by members of the grouping.
The partner country route gives Ghana a more gradual entry into the BRICS framework. For government, the immediate argument is that closer engagement could widen economic choices and strengthen South South cooperation while preserving Ghana’s existing diplomatic relationships.
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