Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced on October 7, 2026, that the country's cabinet has approved a decision to formally apply to join the BRICS geopolitical and economic bloc. This move is part of Ghana's efforts to diversify its economic and diplomatic partnerships. Ablakwa made the announcement during a visit by India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
According to Ablakwa, Ghana has already sought India's support for its application to join BRICS. He described this move as an effort to give Ghana economic options, diversify its base and partnerships, and allow for more cooperation within the global south framework. BRICS is a group of emerging economies founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which has expanded in recent years to include countries in the global south.
The BRICS bloc has undergone significant changes since its founding in 2009. South Africa joined shortly after its inception, while countries such as Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia have joined since 2024. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also members of the bloc. Ghana's potential membership would require consideration by the wider BRICS grouping.
Ablakwa's announcement was made alongside Jaishankar, who expressed India's support for Ghana's aspirations to join BRICS. However, Jaishankar stressed that membership would require careful consideration by the wider BRICS grouping. This suggests that Ghana's application will undergo a thorough evaluation process before a decision is made.
The potential implications of Ghana's membership in BRICS are significant. As a member, Ghana would have access to new economic opportunities, partnerships, and cooperation frameworks within the global south. This could potentially boost Ghana's economic growth, diversify its trade relationships, and enhance its diplomatic influence.
Ghana's decision to join BRICS is part of a broader trend of countries in Africa and elsewhere seeking to diversify their economic and diplomatic partnerships. This trend is driven by a desire to reduce dependence on traditional Western partners and to engage more closely with emerging economies. Ghana's application to join BRICS reflects its commitment to this approach.
The process of Ghana's application to join BRICS is expected to unfold in the coming months. While there are no guarantees of success, Ghana's cabinet has made a clear commitment to pursuing membership. The outcome of this process will depend on various factors, including the evaluation by the BRICS grouping and the level of support from existing members.
Key points
- Ghana's cabinet has approved a decision to formally apply to join the BRICS geopolitical and economic bloc.
- The move is part of Ghana's efforts to diversify its economic and diplomatic partnerships.
- India has expressed support for Ghana's aspirations to join BRICS, but membership would require consideration by the wider BRICS grouping.
