Akufo-Addo Cabinet Weighed Ghana-BRICS Membership, Ablakwa Discloses

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Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has accused the Minority of double standards over Ghana’s BRICS plans, citing 2023 cabinet and committee documents from the Akufo-Addo’s government. He disclosed the documents in a media interview today, October 10, 2026, and said he holds copies.

The North Tongu Member of Parliament claimed that the earlier cabinet set up a ministerial committee and a technical committee, and that both recommended Ghana express interest in joining the bloc.

He made the case in response to Minority criticism led by Damongo Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, who raised concerns about economic risks and IMF approval requirements.

“Ghana acknowledges the importance of the vision that gave birth to the BRICS and expresses prospective interest in joining the bloc.”

Hon Ablakwa read from a cabinet memo dated September 11, 2023, titled “Growing Membership of BRICS.” It records that cabinet, at its 56th meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023, was briefed on Ghana’s participation in the 15th BRICS summit. He noted that then President Nana Akufo-Addo attended that summit as an observer.

According to the memo as he read it, cabinet was told that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had been invited to join, with full membership expected from January 1, 2024.

Cabinet recognised the growing importance of BRICS but noted a lack of information on membership mechanisms and criteria. It then constituted a ministerial committee to examine the merits and demerits of joining.

Hon Ablakwa read from the ministerial committee’s report, dated October 30, 2023. It recommended that Ghana acknowledge the vision behind BRICS and express interest in joining.

Such a step, the report states, would “position Ghana as a truly non-aligned state, while creating incentives for Western countries to put greater value on this cooperation with the country.”

He read from a second report by a technical committee of chief directors and other officials, dated October 2023. According to the Minister, it concluded that early membership would let Ghana influence the group’s foundational principles and priorities.

It would also enhance Ghana’s influence in setting priorities at the New Development Bank and other multilateral financing. “Above all, it will enhance our influence in determining priorities of the new development bank as well as other additional multilateral financing.”

Hon Ablakwa described the Minority’s current position as inconsistent. He called its criticism “most disingenuous and dishonest with the Ghanaian public.” He argued that internal documents from the previous government say joining BRICS shows Ghana is truly non-aligned, while its leaders now say the move abandons non-alignment.

He asked whether the Minority’s leaders knew of these findings when they made their decisions, or hoped Ghanaians would not check the archives. He insisted that the debate should not become a contest between the NPP and the NDC.

The matter concerns the country’s destiny and economic paradigm, he explained, and should rest on facts and intellectual rigour, without what he called cheap partisanship. Earlier reporting shows that the cabinet has approved the bid.

Hon Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, accepted that the decision may bring benefits. He nevertheless warned of far-reaching implications that could harm the national interest.

He pointed out that only three African countries are BRICS members, namely South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia, and he cited reports that Ethiopia’s balance of trade has worsened since it joined.

He also asked why Ghana is not following Nigeria, which is a partner country and an accredited member of the New Development Bank, and so limits its exposure. Finally, he questioned what it would mean for the economy if access to Bank funding requires IMF approval.

The Vaultz News could not independently confirm the memo and reports Hon. Ablakwa read. Neither the Minority nor the former government had responded to his disclosures at the time of the interview.

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