Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Ghana will formally apply for membership of BRICS, the group of emerging economies, as part of a strategy to diversify international partnerships and expand economic opportunities.
Prof. Godfred Bokpin, a senior economist, said the decision reflects a shifting global balance but must be accompanied by a clear strategy to manage the economic and diplomatic risks involved.
“I will not disagree with the government taking this move, but again, we have to have a strategy to engage and manage that risk very, very carefully,” Bokpin said. He warned that closer ties with BRICS could strain Ghana’s relations with traditional partners, especially the United States.
Bokpin highlighted concerns over potential trade repercussions, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on countries associated with BRICS. He added that BRICS members account for more than 40 per cent of global GDP and that China could become the world’s largest economy by 2050.
He urged the government to adopt a deliberate strategy that protects Ghana’s economic interests while maintaining existing international relationships, rather than pursuing the move on a situational basis.
As Ghana moves forward, observers will watch how the government balances the promise of new partnerships with the need to preserve ties with Western allies.
