Russia backs Ghana’s bid to join BRICS as partner country

Russia has pledged to support Ghana’s application to join the BRICS bloc as a partner country, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promising to engage the group’s founding members to build consensus in favour of Ghana’s bid.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 28, following a breakfast meeting with Lavrov and other African foreign ministers during the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit.

According to Ablakwa, Lavrov assured Ghana of Moscow’s support and committed to engaging the other founding members of BRICS to seek their backing for the application.

The pledge represents a diplomatic development in Ghana’s efforts to broaden its international partnerships and explore additional opportunities for economic cooperation.

Ghana announced its intention to pursue BRICS partner-country status on October 6, 2026, following Cabinet approval of the move.

Ablakwa announced the decision during a joint press briefing in Accra with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The proposed membership forms part of the government’s broader strategy to diversify Ghana’s economic and diplomatic relationships and expand its engagement with emerging economies.

Partner-country status offers a framework for closer engagement with BRICS without conferring full membership. Ghana’s application will require support from the relevant members of the grouping before its status can be confirmed.

Lavrov’s reported commitment to consult other founding members could help Ghana advance its application through diplomatic engagement.

BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India and China before South Africa joined in 2010. The grouping has since expanded its membership and developed a partner-country framework to facilitate cooperation with countries outside its full membership.

Russia’s support does not, on its own, guarantee Ghana’s admission as a partner country. The outcome will depend on the relevant BRICS processes and the position of participating members.

Ghana’s diplomatic engagement with Moscow therefore forms part of a wider effort to build support among the countries involved in determining its application.

Ablakwa said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to Ghana’s longstanding foreign policy of non-alignment.

He reiterated the principle of being “friends of all, enemies to none”, stressing that Ghana would continue to pursue international partnerships in its national interest.

The approach seeks to maintain constructive relations with different countries and blocs while allowing Ghana to explore economic, diplomatic and development opportunities.

Ghana’s proposed engagement with BRICS is being pursued within this broader foreign policy framework.

BRICS is a grouping of emerging and developing economies that seeks to strengthen cooperation in areas including trade, investment, finance and development.

For Ghana, partner-country status could provide additional avenues for diplomatic engagement and cooperation with participating countries. It could also create opportunities to explore trade and investment relationships as the country seeks to diversify its economic partnerships.

However, the practical benefits would depend on the arrangements associated with Ghana’s eventual status, the areas prioritised for cooperation and the ability of Ghanaian institutions and businesses to take advantage of available opportunities.

With Russia signalling its support, Ghana’s next step will be to build broader backing for its application through continued diplomatic engagement with BRICS members.