President John Dramani Mahama has recognised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration for beginning Ghana’s efforts to become a partner country of the BRICS bloc.
He said the decision aligned with Ghana’s longstanding non-alignment policy and should not be seen as a change in that position or a rejection of the country’s diplomatic principles.
Speaking at a meet-the-press event at Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, 2026, President Mahama said a ministerial committee formed during the Akufo-Addo administration had recommended that Ghana seek a partnership with BRICS.
He said the committee sent its recommendation to Cabinet before his government took office, and the current administration later reviewed and approved it.
“Let me also tell you, the ministerial committee that sat and recommended that Ghana should accede to BRICS partnership was under Nana Akufo-Addo,” he 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.”
Mr Mahama said his government examined the proposal and concluded that the partnership was worthwhile.
“And so, the recommendation was submitted to Cabinet. And so, when we came, we met it. And so, Cabinet sat on it and said, it’s a good idea to be a BRICS partner. And so, we approved it,” he said.
The President’s comments explain the origins of Ghana’s decision to deepen its engagement with BRICS, a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
