Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for Ghana's application to join BRICS as a partner country at a breakfast meeting with African Foreign Ministers on October 28, 2026. He pledged to rally all founding BRICS members to ensure consensus support for Ghana. This development comes as Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is in Russia with President John Dramani Mahama for the Russia-Africa Summit.
The Russia-Africa Summit provided a platform for African Foreign Ministers to hold strategic meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the summit, Lavrov's announcement demonstrated Russia's commitment to strengthening ties with African nations. Ghana's Foreign Minister conveyed Ghana's deep appreciation to his Russian counterpart for the support. This move is seen as a significant step towards enhancing Ghana's global partnerships.
The Mahama Administration reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Ghana's longstanding foreign policy of non-alignment and friendship with all nations. This approach aims to pursue diversified development options in the national interest. By seeking partnerships with various countries, Ghana aims to leverage international cooperation for its development goals. The administration's stance reflects its dedication to maintaining a balanced and inclusive foreign policy.
Deputy Foreign Minister James Gyakye Quayson accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a working visit to Shanghai, China, from October 15 to 19, 2026. The visit focused on championing Global South reform and industrial drive. At the 2026 Global South Academic Forum, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the importance of stronger South-South cooperation and multilateralism. She called for reform of the global financial architecture to address debt traps and promote climate policies.
During her visit to Shanghai, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, highlighting Ghana's 24-Hour Economy policy and its link to industrialization. She appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with a focus on value addition in key sectors such as cocoa processing and shea butter. This approach aims to create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
The Ghanaian delegation's engagements in Shanghai were coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align with Ghana's jobs and transformation agenda. The visit demonstrated Ghana's efforts to strengthen economic ties with China and promote its development goals. By fostering partnerships with international investors, Ghana seeks to leverage foreign investment for its industrialization drive.
In a separate development, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections. The party has set a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 for prospective candidates. This move marks the beginning of the NPP's candidate selection process for the upcoming elections.
Key points
- Russia supports Ghana's bid to join BRICS as a partner country.
- Ghana's Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation to Russia for supporting Ghana's BRICS partnership bid.
- The Mahama Administration reaffirms its commitment to non-alignment and friendship with all nations.
