Russia has pledged to rally support among founding members of BRICS for Ghana’s application to join the economic bloc as a partner country, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
Mr Ablakwa disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 28, following a breakfast meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other African foreign ministers on the sidelines of the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit.
According to the minister, Mr Lavrov assured Ghana of Moscow’s readiness to help build consensus within the grouping to advance the country’s application.
The pledge provides diplomatic support for Ghana’s efforts to secure partner-country status, although broader backing from BRICS members will be required for the application to progress.
Ghana pursues BRICS partnership
Ghana’s application followed Cabinet approval on October 6, 2026.
Mr Ablakwa subsequently announced the government’s decision during a joint press briefing in Accra with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The proposed partnership forms part of the government’s efforts to expand Ghana’s economic and diplomatic options by strengthening relations with emerging economies and exploring additional opportunities for cooperation.
The government is seeking to broaden the country’s international partnerships while creating avenues for engagement in trade, investment and development.
Non-aligned foreign policy remains central
Mr Ablakwa said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama would continue to pursue opportunities for international cooperation while upholding Ghana’s longstanding non-aligned foreign policy.
He reiterated the country’s diplomatic principle of being “friends of all, enemies to none”, emphasising that Ghana’s international engagements would be guided by its national interest.
The approach allows Ghana to pursue partnerships with different countries and economic groupings without formally aligning itself with a particular geopolitical bloc.
What BRICS partnership means
BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that promotes cooperation in areas including trade, investment and development. Its partner-country framework provides a channel for countries that are not full members to engage more closely with the bloc.
Russia’s pledge marks a diplomatic development in Ghana’s bid for partner-country status. The application’s progress will, however, depend on support from other BRICS members and the grouping’s applicable procedures.
