Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a decision to formally apply for membership of BRICS, a move the government says is aimed at diversifying the country’s economic and diplomatic partnerships and expanding its engagement with the Global South.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision on Oct. 6 during a joint press briefing in Accra with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who was visiting Ghana.
Ablakwa said Ghana would now begin the formal application process and seek the support of existing BRICS members. He said the decision formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader economic strategy, which seeks to move the country from economic stabilisation toward sustainable growth, industrialisation and job creation.
“BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in development,” Ablakwa said, adding that Ghana wanted to diversify its international partnerships while maintaining existing relationships with institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
The minister stressed that seeking BRICS membership would not mean Ghana was abandoning its traditional development and diplomatic partners. Instead, he said, the government wanted to create additional economic options and deepen cooperation with countries including India, Brazil and China.
Ablakwa also linked the proposed membership to Ghana’s objective of achieving greater resource sovereignty. He said the government wanted to move beyond exporting raw materials by attracting partnerships that could support value addition, industrialisation and greater economic benefits from the country’s natural resources.
He said trade between Ghana and India had increased significantly, rising from about $3 billion in 2024 to approximately $7 billion, while China remained another major economic partner.
India backs Ghana’s interest
Jaishankar said India was supportive of Ghana’s aspiration to join BRICS, but noted that membership would require consideration by the wider grouping.
“We have always been very sympathetic and supportive of Ghana’s aspirations and goals,” he said, while stressing that the application was ultimately a matter for collective consideration by BRICS members.
Ghana has already approached India for support for its application. India currently holds the BRICS chairmanship and hosted the group’s 18th summit in New Delhi in September 2026.
The proposed application therefore does not amount to immediate membership. Ghana must first submit its formal application and secure the consideration and approval of existing BRICS members.
BRICS expands its global footprint
BRICS was established by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining the grouping in 2011. The bloc has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, bringing its full membership to 11 countries.
Nigeria and Uganda are among countries that joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025, a status distinct from full membership.
The bloc provides a platform for cooperation on economic and political issues and has increasingly promoted greater representation for developing countries in global institutions.
For Ghana, membership could widen its access to emerging markets and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and industrial development. The extent of those benefits, however, would depend on the terms of Ghana’s eventual participation and the response of existing BRICS members.
Ablakwa said Ghana would continue working with its existing partners while pursuing closer relations with emerging economies, describing the strategy as an effort to give the country greater flexibility in determining its economic development path.
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