Ghana's decision to seek BRICS partner status has sparked questions about its exposure to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that Cabinet has approved Ghana's decision to join BRICS as a partner country, with the aim of becoming a full member later. He has officially conveyed the decision to India's External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and sought India's support.
According to Minister Ablakwa, most of Ghana's international partners have already been informed of its decision to join BRICS. He emphasized that Ghana will retain its non-aligned position, with foreign policy guided by the country's interests rather than allegiance to any particular bloc. The interest in BRICS predates the current administration, with a report by a ministerial committee established by Cabinet in 2023 recommending that Ghana join the grouping.
The Ghanaian government sees its bid to join BRICS as an opportunity to broaden its development partnerships, attract investment, and support industrialization. Ghana already trades extensively with BRICS members, with four of its five largest export destinations in 2025 - the United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa, and China - being part of the grouping. The country's decision to join BRICS comes against the backdrop of Trump's repeated warnings over BRICS and efforts to reduce dependence on the dollar.
In November 2024 and January 2025, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they created a new currency or supported another currency to replace the US dollar. In July 2025, he issued a separate threat, stating that countries aligning with BRICS' "anti-American policies" would be charged an additional 10% tariff. However, the conditions for these tariffs are unclear, and it is uncertain whether Washington would apply them to Ghana.
Ghana has recently introduced a new banking arrangement that allows businesses to pay Chinese suppliers without first obtaining US dollars. The arrangement uses China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, enabling eligible payments to be initiated from Ghana cedi accounts, while suppliers in China receive yuan. This development raises questions about how Washington might interpret Ghana's efforts to reduce reliance on dollar payments alongside its BRICS bid.
Trade concessions have also raised questions, with China's zero-tariff policy offering Ghanaian exporters improved access to its market. However, the Finance Ministry has suggested that Ghana has offered tariff concessions on some Chinese goods, citing World Trade Organisation rules. It remains unclear which products were offered, whether the concessions have taken effect, and what their implications would be for local manufacturers.
As Ghana pursues BRICS partner status, the government needs to explain what it expects to gain, what commitments it intends to make, and how it would manage any consequences for local manufacturers and exporters selling to the US. The government should release a policy paper underpinning its decision to provide clarity on the expected benefits, risks considered, and how this approach fits into Ghana's foreign policy.
Key points
- Ghana's bid to join BRICS has raised concerns about potential US tariffs on its exports.
- The conditions for Trump's threatened tariffs on BRICS countries are unclear.
- Ghana's new banking arrangement allows businesses to pay Chinese suppliers without first obtaining US dollars.
