The Cabinet has approved Ghana’s decision to apply for membership of BRICS, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.

Mr Ablakwa made the announcement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at a joint press briefing in Accra with visiting Indian Foreign Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

He said Ghana’s interest in BRICS was consistent with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of achieving transformative economic growth under the government’s “New Economy” agenda.

“The President Mahama-led administration believes that BRICS offers an incredible opportunity that aligns with his vision for economic growth,” Mr Ablakwa said.

According to him, the government wants to diversify Ghana’s international partnerships as it moves from economic stabilisation towards a more transformative growth path.

He said the decision was also informed by the government’s foreign policy priorities, particularly resource sovereignty and Ghana’s desire to determine its own economic path without being constrained by conditionalities from a limited number of international institutions.

Mr Ablakwa stressed, however, that Cabinet’s approval was only the beginning of the process.

“We are now going to take baby steps to formally apply and to seek the support. You know you have to be accepted. You must be admitted,” he said.

BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China before South Africa joined in 2010, resulting in the acronym BRICS. The grouping has since expanded to include several other emerging economies.

Mr Ablakwa expressed confidence that Ghana would receive support from existing members, citing the country’s strong diplomatic relations with Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and other BRICS members.

He said Ghana’s potential membership would provide additional opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation while complementing the country’s existing international relationships.

Ghana, he added, would continue to engage with the Bretton Woods institutions and remain committed to African multilateral financial institutions.

He cited the support Ghana received from Afreximbank during the country’s 2023-2024 financial crisis as evidence of the importance of maintaining strong relationships with multiple international partners.