Mahama Credits Akufo-Addo Administration for Initiating Ghana’s BRICS Partnership Bid

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that the groundwork for Ghana’s pursuit of partner status with the BRICS bloc was laid by the previous administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, clarifying the origins of a policy decision that has generated significant political debate in recent months.

Speaking at a meet-the-press session at Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, 2026, President Mahama stated that a ministerial committee established under the Akufo-Addo government had recommended that Ghana pursue a partnership with the emerging economies bloc. He explained that the committee’s recommendation had already been submitted to Cabinet before his administration assumed office, and was subsequently reviewed and approved by the current government.

“Let me also tell you, the ministerial committee that sat and recommended that Ghana should accede to BRICS partnership was under Nana Akufo-Addo,” President Mahama said. “We came and met their recommendation. And so, we didn’t set up the ministerial committee. It was set up under the former NPP administration.”

The President emphasized that his government subjected the inherited proposal to Cabinet scrutiny before endorsing it. “Cabinet sat on it and said, it’s a good idea to be a BRICS partner. And so, we approved it,” he added .

Background and Chronology

The disclosure provides context to a process that officially began in 2023. According to documents previously presented by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Akufo-Addo Cabinet was briefed on Ghana’s participation in the 15th BRICS Summit in September 2023. Following that briefing, a ministerial committee was constituted to examine the merits and demerits of joining the bloc, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Finance, Trade, and the Attorney-General’s Department .

That committee submitted its report on October 30, 2023, recommending that Ghana acknowledge the importance of the BRICS vision and express interest in joining, arguing that such a move would position Ghana as a truly non-aligned state and create incentives for Western countries to value cooperation with Accra more highly .

Diplomatic Momentum and Clarifications

The current administration formally announced its decision to pursue BRICS partner status in October 2026, with Minister Ablakwa clarifying that Ghana is seeking partner country status rather than full membership. He noted that BRICS currently comprises eleven full members—including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—alongside a separate partner framework that includes Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, and others .

Ghana’s bid has already attracted international support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced in late October that Moscow “strongly supports” Ghana’s application and pledged to rally founding BRICS members to ensure consensus . India has also signaled a favorable view of Ghana’s aspirations .

Political Context and Non-Alignment

President Mahama’s remarks appear aimed at defusing partisan tensions over the decision. The Minority in Parliament had earlier called for a parliamentary briefing on the matter, questioning the geopolitical implications and suggesting that Ghana should follow Nigeria’s model of partner status rather than pursuing deeper integration . By attributing the initiative to the previous NPP government, Mahama has positioned the policy as a continuity of national strategy rather than a partisan departure.

The President reiterated that the move is consistent with Ghana’s long-standing foreign policy of non-alignment. “The decision was consistent with Ghana’s long-standing foreign policy of non-alignment and should not be interpreted as a departure from that position or an abandonment of the country’s diplomatic principles,” he stated .

Foreign Minister Ablakwa has similarly defended the decision as part of efforts to diversify Ghana’s strategic development options, citing Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution which requires foreign policy to be guided by national interest .

Economic Considerations and Risks

The government argues that closer engagement with BRICS offers opportunities for alternative financing and expanded trade networks within the Global South. Four of Ghana’s five largest export destinations in 2025—China, India, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates—are BRICS members .

However, the decision has not been without controversy. Concerns have been raised about potential trade repercussions, particularly given past warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding countries associated with the bloc . The government maintains that engagement with BRICS does not signal disengagement from traditional Western partners, with Ablakwa noting that European Union member states were briefed on the rationale before the announcement .