Ghana’s proposed entry comes as BRICS expands its engagement with countries across the Global South. ..reports Africa Daily News Desk
Ghana is seeking partner status in BRICS-plus as the grouping looks to strengthen its global influence under India’s chairmanship, with the move expected to widen the West African country’s economic opportunities and deepen cooperation with emerging economies. The proposal was announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa following diplomatic consultations this month.
Ghana’s proposed entry comes as BRICS expands its engagement with countries across the Global South. Indonesia was the latest country to join the bloc as a full member in January 2025, while 10 countries, including Nigeria, currently hold partner status, allowing them to attend summits without full voting rights.
According to a report published by Bulgaria-based Modern Diplomacy, Ghana’s inclusion would make it the second West African country after Nigeria to join the partner category, strengthening its engagement with emerging economic powers.
The report said joining BRICS-plus would complement Ghana’s existing relationships with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, rather than replace them.
BRICS was established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. The grouping emerged amid criticism that international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank were dominated by Western powers and did not adequately represent the interests of developing countries.
South Africa joined the bloc in 2010, followed by an expansion that brought in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The enlarged grouping has sought to increase cooperation among emerging economies and strengthen the representation of developing countries in global affairs.
Ghana already has a prominent role in multilateral organisations, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations. It has also headed the Commonwealth Secretariat since January 2025, according to the report.
The report argued that Ghana’s diplomatic standing and international engagement could strengthen its case for joining the BRICS-plus partnership. It also highlighted the distinction between full membership and partner status within the grouping.
While full members participate in the bloc’s decision-making processes, partner countries can attend summits without having the same voting rights. The partner category offers a way for countries to deepen engagement with BRICS without becoming full members.
The report described BRICS as a grouping that operates on the principle of non-interference and remains open to cooperation among countries with broadly aligned political approaches.
It added that BRICS members remain free to maintain bilateral relations with other countries and that the partnership is intended to promote cooperation on global challenges rather than confrontation.
Ghana’s proposed partner status would therefore offer an additional platform for diplomatic and economic engagement as the grouping seeks to broaden its international reach.
