Ghana has announced plans to formally apply for membership of BRICS, seeking India’s backing as the West African gold powerhouse looks to deepen ties with an expanding bloc led by emerging-market powers including Russia and China.
#Ghana has announced its intention to formally apply for BRICS membership, seeking India's backing for its bid.
#The move aims to diversify Ghana's economic and diplomatic partnerships beyond traditional Western allies.
#BRICS currently has 11 members which includes South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
#If accepted, Ghana would become the fourth full BRICS member from Africa.
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision in Accra on October 6, during a joint press briefing with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
He said Ghana had already sought India’s support for its application, describing BRICS membership as a way to diversify the country’s economic and diplomatic partnerships.
“On the occasion of this important visit, I announced Cabinet’s strategic decision to apply for BRICS membership. The Government of Ghana is determined to position Ghana as a reliable friend to all as we expand our geopolitical and economic frontiers, anchored fundamentally on our national interest and freedom of choice in this fast-evolving multipolar world,” Okudzeto Ablakwa said in a post on X.
Measured by purchasing power parity, or PPP, BRICS which now has 11 full members, is projected to account for around 41% of global GDP in 2026, compared with about 28% for the G7, according to an NDTV analysis of International Monetary Fund data
That translates to roughly $91 trillion in economic output on a PPP basis, giving Africa's gold powerhouse Ghana access to a grouping that includes China, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Ghana wants more options for trade and investment
Ablakwa said Ghana’s application was not intended to replace its relationships with Western institutions or traditional development partners.
“BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in development,” he said, adding: “We must have new friends.”
The minister highlighted India, China and Brazil as important economic partners and said Ghana’s trade with India had risen from about $3 billion in 2024 to approximately $7 billion. Ghanaian President John Mahama separately highlighted the growth in Ghana’s exports to India during talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Accra.
Ghana is also seeking to use deeper relationships with emerging economies to add value to its natural resources. Ablakwa said the government wanted “resource sovereignty” and partnerships that would help Ghana move beyond exporting raw materials.
Jaishankar said India was supportive of Ghana’s aspirations, but stressed that BRICS membership requires consideration by the wider group.
If admitted, Ghana would become the fourth African full member of BRICS after South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia. The country will now have to formally submit its application and secure wider support among existing members.
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