Minority Demands Parliamentary Briefing on Ghana’s BRICS Bid
Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for an urgent parliamentary briefing on Ghana’s proposed membership of BRICS, warning that the move could have significant implications for the country’s national interests and relations with traditional Western allies. His demand follows Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s announcement that Cabinet has approved an application to join the bloc. While acknowledging the potential benefits of alternative financing and expanded trade with the Global South, Mr Jinapor questioned why Ghana was pursuing full membership instead of considering Nigeria’s partner-country arrangement, which he said could limit its exposure to associated risks.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has defended the application as a way to broaden Ghana’s development opportunities without abandoning existing international partnerships. Mr Ablakwa said the country valued its traditional allies but needed to build new relationships. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has expressed support for Ghana’s aspirations, noting that expansion requires careful assessment and consensus among existing members. The Minority insists that the government must present a comprehensive assessment of the proposal’s economic and geopolitical implications to Parliament for scrutiny before proceeding.
