Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said Ghana intends to apply to join BRICS as a Partner Country, not as a full member of the bloc.

The decision forms part of Ghana’s efforts to expand its international partnerships and pursue economic and strategic opportunities that serve the country’s national interest.

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Speaking to TV3 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Ablakwa said Ghana already had strong relations with countries in the bloc and saw them as natural allies.

“Ghana already enjoys excellent relations with BRICS member countries. We are therefore seeking to join our natural allies in a bloc that has become a major force in global trade," he said.

The Minister mentioned that the decision was guided by the need to put Ghana's national interest first, in line with Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution, which sets out the country's principles for conducting international relations.

He stated that BRICS provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional issues, including political and economic governance.

"BRICS offers Ghana an opportunity to engage with major emerging economies on issues that affect our development and the wider global economy,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also sought to allay concerns that Ghana's decision could damage its relations with traditional partners that may have different political and economic positions from BRICS members.

He explained that the move aligned with Ghana's long-standing policy of non-alignment, allowing the country to maintain relations with different countries based on its interests.

He cited Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, as an example of how the country had worked with competing global powers to advance national development.

According to him, the Nkrumah government secured support from the United States to build the Akosombo Dam while also working with the then Soviet Union on Ghana's early nuclear energy programme.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further disclosed that Ghana had engaged European Union member states before announcing its intention to pursue BRICS Partner Country status.

He said Ghana had explained that the decision was about expanding its development options and should not be interpreted as a move to cut ties with Europe or other traditional partners.

“We have made it clear that Ghana's decision to diversify its strategic options does not mean we intend to disengage from our existing partners,” he stated.

BRICS began as BRIC, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, and held its first summit in Russia in 2009. South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, while Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined in 2024. Indonesia joined in 2025.

The bloc also introduced a Partner Country category, with countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam among those identified as partners in 2025.

If Ghana's application succeeds, it would join the bloc under the Partner Country category, giving it another platform to pursue trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation while maintaining its existing international relationships.

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