Ablakwa Clarifies Ghana’s BRICS Membership Bid, Assures Traditional Partners

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has clarified that Ghana intends to apply for Partner Country status in BRICS, explaining that the move is not intended to undermine the country’s relations with its traditional international partners.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on TV3’s Key Points programme on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Minister said Ghana already maintains strong relations with BRICS member states and views the bloc as an important platform for cooperation and economic opportunities.

He explained that Ghana’s decision is guided by the need to protect and advance its national interests, in line with Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the country’s foreign policy objectives.

According to Ablakwa, BRICS brings together major emerging economies and developing countries, offering opportunities for consultation and collaboration on regional and global issues, including international political and economic governance.

The Minister dismissed concerns that Ghana’s proposed partnership with the bloc could damage its relations with Western countries and other traditional development partners. He maintained that the decision reflects Ghana’s long-standing policy of non-alignment and its commitment to maintaining balanced relations with countries that may have differing political and ideological positions.

To illustrate this approach, he cited the example of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who maintained relations with both the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. While the United States supported the construction of the Akosombo Dam, the Soviet Union was involved in efforts to establish Ghana’s nuclear research programme.

Ablakwa further disclosed that Ghana had engaged member states of the European Union before announcing its intention to pursue BRICS partnership. He said the government explained that the move was aimed at diversifying Ghana’s strategic development options rather than withdrawing from existing partnerships.

BRICS originated as BRIC, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, with its first foreign ministers’ meeting held alongside the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. The group held its inaugural summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2011, expanding the bloc’s name to BRICS.

The group subsequently expanded, with several countries joining in 2024 and Indonesia becoming a member in January 2025. Other countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, joined as Partner Countries in 2025.

If Ghana’s application is successful, it will join the Partner Country category, allowing it to strengthen cooperation with BRICS members while continuing to maintain relations with its existing international partners.