Ghana's application to join the BRICS bloc of countries is a deliberate strategy to broaden the country's development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
Speaking during the commissioning of Ghanaian ambassadors being assigned to Angola, Qatar, Israel and the country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday, October 16, 2026, the President explained that the decision to seek BRICS partnership reflects the country's determination to widen opportunities for trade, investment, industrialisation and value addition.
"Ghana's decision to apply for partnership with the BRICS countries reflects our determination to broaden our development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation," he said.
"I explain this approach clearly as we seek wider opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation and also value addition, while sustaining our longstanding relationships and working relations with our traditional partners," he added.
Advice to envoys
President Mahama urged the new envoys to be guided by Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution, which enjoins the state to promote and protect Ghana's interests, uphold international law and contribute to a just and equitable international order through peaceful cooperation.
"Let Article 40 of our Constitution guide your conduct, promote and protect Ghana's interests, uphold international law and contribute to a just and equitable international order through peaceful cooperation," he stated.
On accountability and professionalism, the President was emphatic that envoys must work with measurable results. He said key performance indicators had been introduced for all heads of mission to provide a framework for accountability.
"Your key performance indicators provide a framework for accountability. Take them seriously, set clear priorities for your mission, deploy public resources responsibly and ensure that progress can be demonstrated. The confidence placed in you must be matched by professional discipline and sound governance," he charged.
The President further admonished the ambassadors to lead with fairness, respect and integrity.
"Lead your staff with fairness and respect. Protect the integrity of your office and your dealings with your host countries, international institutions and our own citizens. Let your conduct reflect the dignity of the Republic of Ghana," he said.
Background
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, announced that Cabinet under President Mahama had approved a formal application to join the BRICS bloc during a joint press briefing with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The membership application is initially for Ghana to join on "Partner Country" status before graduating to "full membership" status based on results.
BRICS currently has 11 full members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates — after expansion in 2024 and 2025. Ten countries, including Nigeria and Uganda, hold partner status. About 40 countries have expressed interest, and 23 have formally applied.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the move is anchored in President Mahama's "New Economy" agenda to move from stabilisation to transformative growth, built on seven pillars including jobs, investment, industrialisation and resource sovereignty.
He argued that BRICS offered additional economic options, wider markets for value-added cocoa, gold and oil, and a platform for South-South cooperation, without replacing traditional partners.
"We are not going to walk away from our traditional partners who value that relationship, but we must have new friends. BRICS offers us that opportunity to have options in our development agenda," he said.
He also affirmed the country's commitment to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and African multilateral financial institutions, adding that BRICS membership would not automatically bring loans or membership of the New Development Bank.
