Ghana Foreign Minister defends BRICS partnership and addresses evacuation spending

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended Ghana’s pursuit of partner status with the BRICS bloc, framing the move as a continuation of the nation’s non-aligned foreign policy tradition established by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. While the government is seeking partnership rather than full membership, opposition members, including Samuel Abu Jinapor, have cautioned against rushing the decision. Critics argue that the economic benefits may be overstated, noting that accessing funds from the New Development Bank would still require International Monetary Fund (IMF) approval.

Separately, Minister Ablakwa addressed controversies regarding the GH¢49.72 million expenditure for the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa. The Minority in Parliament has called for an independent audit, citing alleged discrepancies in reintegration grants and transportation allowances. Ablakwa has rejected claims of missing funds, challenging the opposition to identify any evacuee who did not receive the allocated GH¢5,500 support package.

Additionally, the Minister reported that 62 Ghanaian nationals have died in the Russia-Ukraine war, with 15 others missing and two held as prisoners of war. The deaths involve citizens who were reportedly lured into the conflict zone by human-trafficking syndicates promising legitimate employment.