Samuel Jinapor questions expected economic benefits of Ghana’s proposed BRICS partnership

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has questioned the benefits outlined by the government for Ghana’s proposed partnership with BRICS, describing the expectations as unrealistic.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Damongo MP argued that Ghana would still require clearance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to access certain forms of financial assistance.

In his view, this would limit the opportunities Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had suggested the partnership would offer.

“It is comforting that we have been told now, that we are not going for full membership, but that we are starting with partnership. That is all well and good, but the point we (the minority in parliament) made, which I want to reiterate, is that in taking this decision- in other words, making a move to join BRICS, to join G20, even the New Development Bank- the point is that for you to access funding from the New Development Bank, you need IMF approval, and so the argument that this is going to help us move away from the dollar, that this is going to help us broaden our opportunities and to stabilise our currency, I am afraid, is a bit simplistic because you need IMF approval,” he said.

Mr Jinapor nevertheless welcomed the government’s decision to pursue the relationship, acknowledging that initial steps towards engagement with BRICS began under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He said it was positive that the current administration was continuing that process, but maintained that the anticipated benefits needed to be assessed realistically.

His comments followed Mr Ablakwa’s explanation that Ghana was seeking partner status with BRICS rather than full membership, as part of efforts to broaden its international cooperation.