Ghana approves formal application to join BRICS bloc

Ghana's Cabinet has approved a formal application to join BRICS, a coalition of major emerging economies. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the decision during an official visit by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Accra.

The move, sanctioned by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, aims to diversify Ghana's international partnerships and expand economic options through increased engagement with the Global South. Ghana has already requested assistance from India to navigate the accession process.

In addition to the BRICS bid, Ghana and India are strengthening bilateral ties through new agreements in sectors including agriculture, science and technology, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and defense. While the move is seen as a way to broaden export markets and attract investment, some analysts have cautioned that alignment with the bloc could pose risks regarding secondary sanctions or trade imbalances with dominant economies like China.