Ghana to formally apply to join BRICS as government seeks new economic partnerships

By: Hannah Dadzie Ghana has taken a decision to formally apply to join the BRICS grouping as part of government’s efforts to diversify the country’s international partnerships and create new opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this in Accra during a two-day official visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, H.E Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Mr. Ablakwa said Cabinet has approved the decision to pursue Ghana’s membership of BRICS, describing it as a strategic step aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of building a resilient and transformative economy. He said the move is also intended to strengthen Ghana’s engagement with the Global South and provide the country with more options in pursuing its development agenda. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa “BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in our development agenda, and you want to have options,” Mr. Ablakwa said. According to him, Ghana’s application does not mean the country will abandon its traditional development partners, but rather seeks to broaden its international partnerships. “We want an economic growth which is sustainable, which creates jobs, which industrializes our country. We want resource sovereignty, where we can be treated as equal partners. We don’t want a situation where we continue to export raw materials. We want to add value to the natural resources that we have. And we want to work with partners who have the same shared history and shared commitments” The Foreign Affairs Minister said, He said Ghana maintains strong relations with the original BRICS members. Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as other members of the expanded grouping, and will engage them to seek support for its application. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar For his part, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said India welcomes Ghana’s interest in joining BRICS, although the decision will require consideration by the grouping collectively. He said India has always been supportive of Ghana’s aspirations and goals. “We just had a BRICS summit, a very successful summit in New Delhi. And I think to me, it’s understandable that the message of BRICS would resonate in different parts of the world. The minister explained his government’s thinking. I told him that where we are concerned, we have always been very sympathetic and supportive of Ghana’s aspirations and goals. Obviously, this is an issue of collective consideration, so we have to see how that goes” he said Dr. Jaishankar noted that BRICS brings together countries with a strong belief in independence of thought and freedom of choice, adding that cooperation among diverse countries can strengthen their collective voice. He said the message of BRICS has resonated in different parts of the world and described Ghana’s interest as understandable. The announcement on BRICS formed part of wider discussions between Ghana and India aimed at deepening the two countries’ newly established comprehensive partnership. More Stories Here