By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Ghana is set to formally apply for membership of the BRICS group, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
According to the Minister, the move forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to strengthen its geopolitical and economic influence while positioning the country to take advantage of opportunities emerging from the changing global order.
Mr Ablakwa has previously indicated that the government is considering closer cooperation with BRICS as Ghana reassesses its international partnerships. In September 2026, he disclosed that Cabinet had considered Ghana’s potential membership of the bloc and was taking a positive view of the idea.
The Foreign Affairs Minister has argued that Ghana should pursue international partnerships based on mutual interests, fairness and tangible benefits rather than relying solely on traditional diplomatic relationships.
He has also stressed that African countries should not be forced to choose sides amid growing competition between major global powers. Instead, he believes African nations should use their resources and strategic importance to negotiate partnerships that advance their economic interests.
Ghana’s potential move toward BRICS comes at a time when the country is seeking to expand its diplomatic and economic engagement beyond traditional partners. The government has highlighted Ghana’s natural resources, its role in hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and its wider diplomatic influence as areas that could support a more prominent role for the country internationally.
BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping has since expanded its membership, reflecting growing cooperation among emerging economies and countries of the Global South.
For Ghana, joining or formally seeking closer ties with BRICS could open discussions around trade, investment, finance, technology and broader economic cooperation. However, any formal application would still have to go through the bloc’s established membership process and consideration by existing members.
The announcement therefore marks a significant development in Ghana’s foreign-policy direction as the government seeks to deepen relations with emerging global economic powers while maintaining its existing diplomatic engagements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under Mr Ablakwa, has in recent months placed considerable emphasis on strengthening Ghana’s international partnerships and advancing what it describes as an interest-driven foreign policy.
Ghana’s formal application to BRICS, if submitted, would represent another step in the country’s efforts to increase its participation and influence in discussions shaping the emerging global economic and geopolitical order.
