Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that Ghana’s previous administration, led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, initiated steps in 2023 to assess the country’s potential membership of BRICS.
Ablakwa said the administration established a ministerial committee to evaluate the benefits and challenges of joining the bloc, which brings together major emerging economies.
The minister presented a Cabinet memorandum dated September 11, 2023, detailing decisions reached at a Cabinet meeting on September 7 of the same year.
He explained that Cabinet had received a briefing on Ghana’s participation in the 15th BRICS summit before agreeing to set up a committee to examine the implications of membership.
The committee comprised representatives from the ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs, National Security, Finance and Trade, alongside the Attorney-General’s Department. Its primary responsibility was to assess the potential consequences of joining the bloc and advise the government accordingly.
According to Ablakwa, the committee submitted its findings in a report dated October 30, 2023, recommending that Ghana recognise BRICS’ vision and formally indicate its interest in becoming a member.
He also cited a separate technical committee report produced in October 2023 following consultations organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with stakeholders from selected government ministries to evaluate the possible effects of membership.
The minister argued that the reports demonstrated that the Akufo-Addo administration had actively considered Ghana’s participation in BRICS and undertaken formal assessments rather than rejecting the proposal.
Ablakwa’s presentation of the documents comes amid political discussions over Ghana’s prospective membership of the bloc, particularly following the current administration’s decision to pursue the country’s entry.
The documents, he said, provide insight into the previous government’s consideration of BRICS membership and its efforts to determine the implications for Ghana.
