Ghana’s BRICS partnership bid aimed at broadening development opportunities – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has explained that Ghana’s decision to apply for partnership with the BRICS bloc is intended to broaden the country’s development partnerships, deepen South-South cooperation and create new opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation.

He said the move forms part of Ghana’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic production, improve its ability to compete in international markets and retain its longstanding relationships with traditional development partners.

“Ghana's decision to apply for partnership with the BRICS countries reflects our determination to broaden our development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation,” President Mahama said.

“Explain this approach clearly as we seek wider opportunities for trade, investment, industrialisation, and value addition, while sustaining our long-standing relationships and working relations with our traditional partners,” he added.

The President made the remarks at the commissioning of four ambassadors, whom he tasked with translating the government’s foreign policy priorities into tangible economic and social benefits for Ghanaians.

President Mahama said Ghana must respond confidently to an evolving international environment characterised by shifting alliances, increasing trade restrictions and intensifying competition for technology and natural resources.

He stressed that the country’s foreign policy should protect its ability to make independent decisions while securing access to international markets, technology and strategic partnerships.

“We must protect our freedom to make decisions, secure access to markets and technology, and build partnerships that strengthen our capacity to produce and compete on the international stage,” he said.

According to the President, Ghana’s engagement with emerging economic blocs such as BRICS should complement, rather than replace, its existing relationships with traditional partners.

He said a broader network of international partnerships could help the country attract investment, expand trade opportunities and build the capacity needed to accelerate industrial development.

President Mahama urged the newly commissioned envoys to make economic diplomacy a central part of their assignments.

He encouraged them to identify investors whose interests align with Ghana’s development priorities, support local businesses seeking access to foreign markets and build partnerships that promote skills development, research and technology transfer.

The President said the success of Ghana’s diplomatic missions should be measured by the practical opportunities they generate for the country.

“Judge the success of your economic diplomacy by the opportunities you are able to bring to Ghana,” he said.

He emphasised that ambassadors must go beyond maintaining diplomatic relations and actively pursue initiatives capable of creating jobs, strengthening local industries and expanding Ghanaian businesses’ participation in international trade.

The President cited the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board and efforts to promote local processing of critical minerals, including lithium, bauxite and manganese, as examples of the government’s commitment to retaining more value from the country’s natural resources.

He said Ghana needed to attract the investment, technology and expertise required to transform its mineral wealth into productive industries and sustainable employment.

According to him, international partnerships should support domestic value addition instead of leaving the country dependent primarily on the export of unprocessed raw materials.

The government’s approach, he indicated, is intended to strengthen local productive capacity and ensure that the benefits of Ghana’s natural resources contribute more directly to national development.

The four envoys commissioned by President Mahama are Nana Antwiwaa Dodoo, Ambassador to Angola; Louis Kwame Obeng, Ambassador to Qatar; Evelyn Korantemaa Ofosu-Amable, Ambassador-designate to Israel; and Jedidiah Reuben Adogla, Permanent Representative to Switzerland.

The President charged them to represent Ghana’s interests professionally and pursue diplomatic engagements that deliver measurable results.

He also urged the envoys to prioritise the welfare of Ghanaians living abroad by protecting their interests and ensuring that consular services are accessible, efficient and responsive to their needs.

He stressed the importance of professional discipline and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“Keep Ghana’s interests at the centre of your work and make your service count for our people,” President Mahama said.

He reiterated that the country’s diplomatic missions must remain focused on advancing Ghana’s interests while creating opportunities that support economic transformation and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.