Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the government has decided to formally apply for Ghana to join BRICS, a major intergovernmental organisation made up of the emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Mr Ablakwa said the decision is aimed at diversifying Ghana’s international partnerships, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening cooperation with countries in the Global South.
Speaking during the official visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Ghana, Mr Ablakwa said India’s membership of BRICS made it a strategic partner in Ghana’s bid.
He said the government had already sought India’s assistance with the application process and was hopeful of its support.
“The major highlight, which I am disclosing to the Ghanaian people for the first time, is that the Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana will be joining BRICS.
“We believe that joining India in BRICS will give us economic options, will diversify our base and our partnerships, and will also allow us to have more cooperation within the Global South framework, as far as South-South engagements are concerned.”
Mr Ablakwa also announced plans for Ghana and India to deepen cooperation in railway development, pharmaceuticals, ICT, defence, agriculture, science and technology.
He said the two countries had signed two Memoranda of Understanding covering agriculture and science and technology as part of efforts to strengthen their comprehensive partnership.
Ghana, India deepen cooperation
Dr Jaishankar said Ghana and India are seeking to deepen cooperation in key sectors under their comprehensive partnership.
He said the two countries are exploring stronger collaboration in pharmaceuticals, health, mining, defence, railways and digital technology.
Dr Jaishankar said Ghana and India share similar development challenges and could benefit from exchanging knowledge and experience.
He noted that Ghana’s Accra Reset, Feed Ghana and One Million Coders initiatives have parallels with programmes being implemented in India.
The two countries have also signed agreements on agricultural research and training, as well as biodiversity.
Dr Jaishankar further welcomed Ghana’s role in the African Union and ECOWAS and called for stronger cooperation between the two countries at the United Nations, including on reforms to the UN Security Council.
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