Ghana moves to join BRICS as government seeks new economic options

Ghana is preparing to formally apply for membership of BRICS, after Cabinet approved the government's decision to pursue membership of the expanding economic and geopolitical grouping.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision during a joint engagement with India's External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Accra.

Mr Ablakwa said the move is intended to diversify Ghana's international partnerships and create additional opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation.

He said Ghana has already approached India for support in the application process. India is a member of BRICS and has expressed support for Ghana's aspirations, although Dr Jaishankar noted that membership would ultimately require consideration by the wider BRICS grouping.

Why Ghana wants BRICS membership

According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ghana wants greater options in its development partnerships while maintaining its existing relationships with institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.

He argued that BRICS could provide Ghana with additional avenues for economic cooperation, particularly with countries across the Global South.

The government has linked the decision to its wider economic agenda, including industrialisation, job creation and adding value to Ghana's natural resources rather than continuing to rely heavily on exports of raw materials.

Ghana also sees India as an important economic partner.

Mr Ablakwa said trade between Ghana and India had increased from about US$3 billion in 2024 to approximately US$7 billion, highlighting the importance of the relationship as Ghana explores deeper engagement with BRICS countries.

What could it mean for Ghana?

The proposed BRICS membership could create opportunities for deeper economic and diplomatic cooperation, but membership itself should not be presented as an automatic solution to Ghana's economic challenges.

Any eventual benefit will depend on the agreements Ghana negotiates, the markets it can access, investment that materialises and the country's ability to turn international partnerships into productive economic activity.

For businesses, the areas to watch include trade, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure.

For the Savannah Region and Northern Ghana, the potential relevance could eventually lie in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing and natural-resource value addition.

But there is currently no basis to claim that BRICS membership will directly bring investment or jobs to Savannah Region.

Ghana's application is only the beginning

Ghana has not yet become a BRICS member.

The government is preparing its formal application and seeking support from existing members.

BRICS currently has 11 full members, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

The next significant development will therefore be Ghana's formal application and how existing BRICS members respond.

For Ghana, the stated objective is clear: more economic options and broader international partnerships.

The real test will be whether those options eventually translate into measurable opportunities for Ghanaian businesses, workers and communities.