Ghana has approved plans to formally apply for BRICS membership as the government looks to expand economic opportunities and accelerate development.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said President John Dramani Mahama’s Cabinet had authorise the move. He said preparations were under way to submit Ghana’s application and seek support from existing BRICS members. Ablakwa said membership could create opportunities for investment, job creation, industrialisation and greater value addition to Ghana’s natural resources.
He said cooperation with BRICS would complement Ghana’s existing international partnerships and give the country more development options. “BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in development,” Ablakwa said.
The minister identified India, Brazil and China as important economic partners for Ghana. He said trade between Ghana and India had more than doubled, rising from about US$3 billion in 2024 to around US$7 billion. The government also wants closer cooperation with BRICS countries to support domestic processing industries.
Ablakwa said Ghana wanted to increase the economic benefits generated from its natural resources. “We want to add value to the natural resources that we have. And we want to work with partners who have the same shared history and shared commitments,” he said. Ghana has already approached India for support for its proposed accession.
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed support for Ghana’s aspirations during a visit to Accra. However, Jaishankar stressed that BRICS membership decisions require collective consideration by member states. “Obviously, this is an issue of collective consideration. So we have to see how that goes forward,” he said.
Ghana’s planned application signals an effort to deepen economic cooperation with emerging economies. It also reflects the government’s intention to broaden the country’s options for international development partnerships. The proposed application comes as Ghana seeks greater investment and industrial development while aiming to secure more value from its natural resources.
Any move towards membership will depend on the BRICS countries’ collective consideration of Ghana’s application.
