Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the Cabinet has approved Ghana's formal application to join BRICS, a significant move in the country's approach to international partnerships. This development was shared during the official visit of India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Ghana. The decision is aimed at diversifying Ghana's economic base and expanding its ties with nations in the Global South.
According to Minister Ablakwa, joining BRICS will provide Ghana with economic options, diversify its partnerships, and enhance cooperation within the Global South framework. Ghana has already sought India's support with the BRICS application process, citing South-South cooperation as a key motivation. The Minister expressed optimism about receiving India's backing for the application.
BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates as core members. Ghana's potential membership could further strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with these nations. The application process is expected to be facilitated with India's assistance.
Beyond the BRICS announcement, Minister Ablakwa outlined plans to deepen Ghana's bilateral relationship with India across various sectors, including railways, pharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, defense, and agriculture. Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit, covering agricultural research and training, as well as science and technology.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar noted that both nations share comparable development challenges and can benefit from exchanging expertise and knowledge. He drew parallels between Ghana's initiatives, such as Accra Reset, Feed Ghana, and One Million Coders, and similar programs in India. Dr. Jaishankar also praised Ghana's role within the African Union and ECOWAS.
The visit also highlighted Ghana's recent victory in an International Chamber of Commerce arbitration case against Tullow Ghana Limited. The Tribunal dismissed Tullow's claims and upheld a tax assessment worth $393,091,993.70. This development underscores Ghana's efforts to resolve international disputes and protect its economic interests.
The announcement of Ghana's BRICS membership application marks a significant shift in the country's foreign policy. If successful, Ghana's membership could enhance its economic cooperation with other Global South nations and provide new opportunities for growth and development. The country is expected to continue strengthening its ties with India and other international partners.
Key points
- Cabinet approves Ghana's formal application to join BRICS.
- Ghana seeks India's support for BRICS application process.
- Ghana and India sign MoUs to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, science, and technology.
