The Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress, Dr. Alhaji Hassan Ayariga, has questioned the authority of Cabinet to decide Ghana’s proposed partnership with BRICS without Parliamentary and public consultation.
In a press statement issued on October 17, 2026, in Accra, Dr. Ayariga said Ghana’s sovereignty lies with the people and not a President or his Cabinet.
“Ghana is a sovereign democratic republic, not the personal property of a President or his Cabinet,” he stated.
He said while he is not opposed to Ghana building strategic ties with BRICS nations to boost trade and investment, “the pursuit of economic opportunities must never become an excuse to undermine constitutional governance, parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability.”
Dr. Ayariga questioned why such a major geopolitical and economic decision was announced by President John Dramani Mahama’s government through Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, without broader national engagement.
“Who has the authority to determine Ghana’s long term international economic and geopolitical commitments? Can the President do so without the approval of Parliament and the Ghanaian people?” he asked.
He cited Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, noting that while the President can execute treaties, Article 75(2) requires Parliamentary ratification before they become binding.
“Cabinet has neither constitutional nor legal basis for the approval or ratification of any such commitments,” he stressed.
Dr. Ayariga further demanded clarity on what Ghana stands to gain, what obligations it will assume, whether it will be a full member or partner and how ordinary Ghanaians will benefit.
“What exactly does Ghana stand to gain? What obligations will Ghana assume? And most importantly, how will ordinary Ghanaian citizens, farmers, traders, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and businesses benefit?” he quizzed.
He warned Ghana must not trade one form of dependency for another. “Ghana must not move from dependency on Western economic powers into a new dependency on Eastern economic powers… Ghana First. Ghanaians First. National Interest First,” he stated.
He called on Parliament not to be a spectator, urging the Speaker and leadership to demand a full briefing from the Foreign Minister on the benefits, risks, financial implications and legal obligations.
“Parliament must demand a comprehensive briefing… Even where parliamentary ratification is not legally required, a matter of this national significance deserves parliamentary debate and public scrutiny,” he said.
Posing seven direct questions to President Mahama, Dr. Ayariga asked whether Parliament was consulted, whether the Attorney General had given a legal opinion, what specific advantages BRICS offers over existing partnerships, and whether government will publish the terms before any binding commitment.He called on government to publish a policy document on the BRICS move, present it to Parliament, engage stakeholders, disclose the legal assessment and guarantee protection of Ghana’s sovereignty.“Ghana belongs to all of us. The Constitution is supreme. Our sovereignty is not negotiable… Ghana is not for sale. Ghana is not the property of any government, President or party. Ghana belongs to Ghanaians,” he declared.
