Ghana’s Cabinet has approved the country’s decision to formally apply for membership of BRICS, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
Ablakwa disclosed the decision on October 6, 2026, during a joint press briefing in Accra with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
He said Ghana had already approached India for support as it prepares its formal application to the emerging economies bloc.
According to the minister, joining BRICS would give Ghana more options for trade, investment, development cooperation and international partnerships.
Ablakwa said the move was also aimed at strengthening Ghana’s engagement with countries of the Global South and diversifying its economic relationships.
He linked the decision to President John Dramani Mahama’s economic agenda, which seeks to move Ghana from economic stabilisation towards sustainable growth, industrialisation and job creation.
The minister stressed that joining BRICS would not mean abandoning Ghana’s existing relationships with traditional partners, including the International Monetary Fund and other Western institutions.
He said Ghana instead wanted to expand its options by deepening relations with countries such as India, China and Brazil.
Jaishankar said India was “very sympathetic and supportive” of Ghana’s aspirations, but noted that the application would ultimately require consideration by the wider BRICS membership.
BRICS currently has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
The bloc has expanded significantly since it was established by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later and several additional countries becoming members in 2024 and 2025.
Ghana’s proposed application therefore comes amid a broader expansion of BRICS and increasing efforts by developing countries to strengthen South-South economic and diplomatic cooperation.
Ablakwa said Ghana was seeking partnerships that could support investment, industrialisation and greater value addition to its natural resources.
The government is expected to begin the formal application process and engage other BRICS members as it seeks admission into the grouping.
