Ghana is taking steps to become a member of the BRICS bloc, according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The Minister explained that the move was part of a broader strategy to widen Ghana’s global alliances, create new economic openings and boost solidarity with developing nations.
He made the disclosure while hosting India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to the country.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that India, as a founding member of BRICS, is a key ally in Ghana’s ambition and that Accra has already asked New Delhi to guide and back its application.
In his words, the Mahama-led Cabinet has taken a decision for the country to pursue BRICS membership, a development he said he was announcing to the public for the first time.
He added that aligning with India in the group would offer Ghana alternative economic pathways, broaden its partnership base and enhance collaboration among Global South nations.
Beyond the BRICS agenda, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that Ghana and India intend to scale up joint work in areas such as rail transport, medicine production, digital innovation, security, farming and scientific research.
To formalise this, both sides have inked two MoUs focused on agriculture and science and technology.
For his part, Dr. Jaishankar affirmed that the two nations are committed to expanding their all-round partnership, with emphasis on pharmaceuticals, healthcare, mining, defence, railway infrastructure and digital transformation.
He pointed out that both countries face common development hurdles and stand to gain from sharing expertise and best practices.
He also observed that Ghana’s flagship programmes like Accra Reset, Feed Ghana and One Million Coders share similarities with initiatives being rolled out in India.
The visit also saw the signing of pacts on farm research and training as well as biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Jaishankar lauded Ghana’s influential role within the AU and ECOWAS, and urged closer coordination between Accra and New Delhi at the UN level, particularly on the push to reform the UN Security Council.
