Ghana is seeking to broaden its economic and diplomatic partnerships through a planned application to join BRICS, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
Mr Ablakwa said the decision formed part of the government’s strategy to diversify Ghana’s international partnerships, expand economic opportunities and deepen cooperation with countries in the Global South.
He disclosed the plan during the official visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Ghana, stressing that India’s membership of BRICS made it a strategic partner in Ghana’s bid.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the government had already approached India for assistance with the application process and was hopeful of receiving its support.
“The major highlight, which I am disclosing to the Ghanaian people for the first time, is that the Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana will be joining BRICS,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa said membership would give Ghana greater economic options while strengthening its engagement with emerging economies and other countries in the Global South.
“We believe that 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, as far as South-South engagements are concerned,” he added.
Ghana-India partnership
The announcement comes as Ghana and India seek to expand bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, railways, ICT, defence, science and technology.
Mr Ablakwa said the two countries had signed two Memoranda of Understanding covering agriculture and science and technology as part of efforts to strengthen their comprehensive partnership.
Dr Jaishankar said India was ready to deepen cooperation with Ghana in areas including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, mining, defence, railways and digital technology.
He noted that the two countries faced similar development challenges and could benefit from sharing knowledge, technology and experience.
Dr Jaishankar cited Ghana’s Accra Reset, Feed Ghana and One Million Coders initiatives as areas that had parallels with programmes implemented in India.
The two countries have also reached agreements on agricultural research and training, as well as biodiversity.
Beyond bilateral relations, Dr Jaishankar called for closer coordination between Ghana and India at multilateral institutions.
He welcomed Ghana’s role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and urged stronger cooperation at the United Nations, including efforts towards reform of the UN Security Council.
