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 the Cabinet had decided that Ghana should formally apply 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, diversify 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, with South Africa joining the bloc in 2011.
The grouping has expanded significantly in recent years, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia among countries that have since joined.
Ghana’s planned application would further widen BRICS membership as the bloc seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation among countries of the Global South.
For Ghana, the move is aimed at widening its international partnerships, diversifying its economic relationships and creating new opportunities for cooperation with emerging economies.
