Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called for a thorough assessment of the economic and diplomatic consequences of Ghana’s proposed membership of BRICS before the government proceeds with its application.
The Damongo Member of Parliament said Ghana could benefit from closer engagement with the emerging economic bloc, particularly through new financing opportunities and expanded diplomatic and economic partnerships.
However, he cautioned that the government must also identify the possible risks to Ghana’s national interests, insisting that foreign policy decisions should be driven by clear national benefits.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Jinapor said the proposed BRICS membership required deeper scrutiny rather than an assumption that the move would automatically benefit Ghana.
“All foreign policy must be near to national interests. So there’s absolutely no benefit in a foreign policy move if it does not inure to the national interest of a particular country.”
His comments follow Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s announcement that Cabinet had approved Ghana’s decision to formally apply to join BRICS.
The government has said the move is intended to diversify Ghana’s international partnerships and strengthen cooperation with countries in the Global South.
Jinapor questions BRICS financing claims
Mr Jinapor questioned whether BRICS membership would necessarily provide Ghana with greater access to development financing, particularly through the New Development Bank (NDB).
He said Parliament would need to examine the conditions attached to financing from the institution and determine whether such funding would genuinely expand Ghana’s financial options.
“We are told that we may be in a position to source some new funding from the New Development Bank of BRICS,” he said.
“But we are also told that even to access funding from that bank, there’s a condition precedent that the IMF has to give authorisation. So if that is the case, what is the implication?”
He cautioned that Ghana should not assume that membership would come without obligations or costs.
“There’s absolutely no free lunch,” he said.
The government has maintained that BRICS membership would provide additional development options while complementing Ghana’s existing relationships with institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
Calls for review of experiences of BRICS members
Mr Jinapor also urged the government to study the experiences of countries that have already joined BRICS before committing Ghana to membership.
He specifically cited Ethiopia and said Ghana should examine both the benefits and challenges the country has encountered since becoming a member.
He said the assessment should include the impact of closer trade relations with major BRICS economies, particularly China.
“We need to take a look at what has been the experience of some of those countries which have joined,” he said.
Mr Jinapor further urged policymakers to consider the implications of deeper economic and political engagement with major BRICS members such as China and Russia.
He said the potential effects on Ghana’s economy, trade and national interests should be clearly understood before the country proceeds.
Foreign Affairs Committee seeks further scrutiny
Mr Jinapor disclosed that the Foreign Affairs Committee had received a general briefing from the Foreign Affairs Minister on the government’s intention to pursue BRICS membership but had yet to conduct a comprehensive examination of the proposal.
“We need a lot more reflection on this particular move,” he said.
He acknowledged the government’s argument that Ghana needed to diversify its international partnerships but said the policy should also be assessed against Ghana’s longstanding foreign policy principles, including non-alignment.
“It is all good to diversify our partnerships, but without doubt, this will come with some implications as well, some of which may be adverse to our national interest as a country,” he said.
Mr Jinapor also raised concerns about Ghana’s bilateral relationship with South Africa, one of the founding members of BRICS.
“Our bilateral relationship with South Africa is almost at the bottom’s end,” he said.
Ghana has not yet become a BRICS member. Cabinet approval has cleared the way for the country to formally pursue membership, but the application remains subject to consideration by existing members of the bloc.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has said India supports Ghana’s aspirations but noted that the application would require collective consideration by BRICS members.
BRICS currently has 11 full members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
