Posted by Chinenye on Wed 07th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
Ghana is taking steps to join BRICS after its cabinet approved plans to submit a formal application.
(Ghana President, John Mahama. Photo Credit: Mahama on X (@JDMahama))
Ghana's cabinet has approved a decision to formally apply to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said.
Ablakwa spoke on Tuesday during a visit by India's external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
He told reporters that President John Dramani Mahama's cabinet has decided that Ghana should send in a formal application.
He added that Ghana has already asked India to back its bid, describing the move as a way to widen the country's economic and diplomatic partnerships.
According to him, joining BRICS alongside India will give Ghana more economic options, broaden its base and partnerships, and allow for stronger cooperation among countries of the global south.
Jaishankar said India supports Ghana's aspirations but noted that membership must be considered by the wider BRICS group.
BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China, and has grown in recent years with a focus on bringing together countries from the global south.
South Africa joined shortly after the group began in 2009, while Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia have joined since 2024.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also members.