Ghana’s application to join the BRICS bloc of countries is a deliberate strategy to broaden the country’s development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
Speaking during the commissioning of Ghana’s Ambassadors being assigned to Angola, Qatar, Israel and the country’s Permanent Mission to the UN, at the Jubilee House in Accra last Friday, the President explained that the decision to seek BRICS partnership reflected the country’s determination to widen opportunities for trade, investment, industrialisation and value addition.
“Ghana's decision to apply for partnership with the BRICS countries reflects our determination to broaden our development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation.
“I explain this approach clearly as we seek wider opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation and also value addition, while sustaining our longstanding relationships and working relations with our traditional partners,” the President Mahama added.
Advice
President Mahama urged the new envoys to be guided by Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution, which enjoins the State to promote and protect Ghana’s interests, uphold international laws and contribute to a just and equitable international order through peaceful cooperation.
“Let Article 40 of our Constitution guide your conduct, promote and protect Ghana's interests, uphold international laws and contribute to a just and equitable international order through peaceful cooperation,” he stated.
On accountability and professionalism, the President was emphatic that envoys must work with measurable results.
The President further charged the ambassadors to lead with fairness, respect and integrity.
“Lead your staff with fairness and respect. Protect the integrity of your office and your dealings with your host countries, international institutions and our own citizens. Let your conduct reflect the dignity of the Republic of Ghana.”
Background
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced on Tuesday, October 6, this year, during a joint press briefing with the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that Cabinet under President Mahama had approved a formal application to join the BRICS bloc.
The membership application is initially for Ghana to join on “Partner Country” status” before graduating it into “full membership” status based on results.
BRICS currently has 11 full members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates — after expansion in 2024-2025.
Ten countries, including Nigeria and Uganda, hold partner status.
About 40 countries have expressed interest to join, and 23 have their applications pending with the bloc.
The Foreign Affairs Minister maintains that the move is anchored on President Mahama's "New Economy" agenda to move from stabilisation to transformative growth, built on seven pillars, including jobs, investment, industrialisation and resource sovereignty.
Mr Ablakwa argued that BRICS offered additional economic options, wider markets for value-added cocoa, gold and oil, and a platform for South-South cooperation, without replacing traditional partners.
"We are not going to walk away from our traditional partners who value that relationship, but we must have new friends. BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in our development agenda,” he said.
He also affirmed the country’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and African multilateral financial institutions, adding that BRICS membership would not automatically bring loans or membership of the New Development Bank.
