MOSCOW, Jan 16 (IPS) – With growing political interest in building a new structure in the Global South, Ghana’s administration is considering joining the ‘partner countries category’ of BRICS+, an association of five emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
The National Democratic Party (NDC) and President-elect John Mahama, while devising ways for the future and renewing commitment to democracy and governance, designing a new economic recovery program as a priority, can start negotiations to put Ghana at a higher level by moving up to the BRICS+ platform.
Indeed, the ascension to the BRICS+ platform would be the history of Ghana which has achieved a high position in the institutions and organizations of the United Nations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the United Nations and, Jan. 2025, head of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Unlike South Africa, which gained full membership in 2011, while Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda were included in the category of ‘partner countries’, Ghana has all the essential requirements to be part of the BRICS+ alliance.
It is necessary to understand the basic meaning and significance of BRICS+ in the context of the changing geopolitical world. The BRICS alliance operates on the basis of non-interference. As an anti-Western organization, it is always open to cooperation from countries with a ‘like-minded’ political philosophy.
BRICS members are free to engage in their bilateral relations with any foreign country they choose. In addition to that, the BRICS+ strategic partnership has clearly shown that it is not an organization of confrontation, but of cooperation designed to address global challenges, and is based on respect for the right of each country to determine its own future.
South Africa and other African countries associated with BRICS+
South Africa is strongly committed to its involvement in BRICS+. So far, it has held two of its conferences. In the future, Egypt and Ethiopia will have the opportunity to host the BRICS+ summit. Egypt and Ethiopia have very good relations with members, and at the same time trade with other non-BRICS+ countries, foreign countries.
The New Development Bank (BRICS) was established in 2015, it has financed more than 100 projects, and the total amount of loan amount is about 35 billion, and it is interesting that a branch of this bank is working in Johannesburg, South Africa. Understandably, South Africa can be a gateway for investment to the rest of Africa. In 2021, Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay joined the NDB.
The BRICS Bank operates independently of political lines, and has also pledged to finance development programs in non-BRICS+ countries in the Global South. Its activities include investing in the economy through subsidized loans, eradicating poverty and working towards sustainable economic growth.
According to the President of the BRICS New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff, “The bank should play a major role in the development of a multipolar, polycentric country.”
Ethiopia and Egypt are the latest in the BRICS+ organization from January 2024. South Africa and Egypt are the most powerful economic centers, while Ethiopia is ranked 8th in the continent. In terms of population, Nigeria has the largest population, estimated at 220 million, while Uganda has 46 million people.
South Africa, Ethiopia and Egypt are full members, Algeria, Nigeria and Uganda are given the category of ‘partner countries’, but they have the opportunity to pursue various cooperation with foreign countries. BRICS+ has absolutely no restrictions on who can strike a bilateral relationship.
From the above basis, the new administration of Ghana, under the framework of BRICS+, can make a strategy to establish full cooperation and ask for support from African members, including South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia. It is worth noting that the benefits of membership cannot be underestimated in this era of changing economic structures and the landscape.
Lists BRICS+ membership
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which historically share a border region in West Africa, are in line to join the BRICS+ group. The three are creating their own regional economic and security agreement, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, and wish to benefit from BRICS+, which may address their development and security issues.
Brazil, as the chair of BRICS 2025, has prioritized the expansion of BRICS+, the enlargement wave initiated by Russia. More than 30 countries are joining, hoping to participate equally in the unique activities of the bloc that unites the Global South.
Perhaps, the most important moment in Ghana which shares a border with Burkina Faso. Its military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré was heartily applauded for attending the inauguration of new President John Dramani Mahama on January 7.
Burkina Faso, without the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, is transforming its agricultural sector to ensure food security, building educational and health facilities and a sports stadium that opens a new chapter in its political history.
In early January 2025, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took political power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Historically, political transition has been smooth and commendable over the years. Ghana is ranked seventh in Africa out of 53 countries in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
The Ibrahim Index is a comprehensive measure of African governments, and the transfer of power based on constitutional principles, laws and regulations.
Ghana produces high quality cocoa. It is rich in minerals including gold, diamonds and bauxite. has approx. 10 billion barrels of oil in reserves, the fifth largest in Africa. President John Dramani Mahama, reiterated his emphasis on unlocking power, building a strong and inclusive economic model that will empower citizens and attract foreign investors.
Ghana has reduced the size of the government, a necessary condition to receive funds from the IMF to develop and revive the economy. Ghana’s participation in BRICS+ will gradually enhance its traditional dominance in various countries.
It describes the potential benefits of Ghana
Right now, Ghana has a lot of economic work to do, aimed at recovering from extreme mismanagement. It may take advantage of various BRICS+ partners. Closely related to this, the Ghanaian headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) also provides appropriate cooperation in promoting intra-BRICS trade and intra-African trade.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, these together draw the representation of African countries in BRICS+, and present their collective African voice on the international stage.
After reading a report entitled “Ghana Should Consider Joining the BRICS Organization” (Source: author Natogmah Issahaku, he explained, at the outset, that Ghana’s relations with other foreign nations, especially, those of the West, will not, and should not, be affected by its BRICS membership.
According to this expert, Ghana needs infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth in order to raise the standard of living of Ghanaians to middle income level, which can be achieved by participating in BRICS+. In return, Ghana can offer BRICS+ members exports of finished and finished industrial and agricultural products and minerals through a win-win partnership framework.
As an Applied Economist at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, Natogmah Issahaku emphasized the importance of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), which can play a role in financing Ghana’s development agenda. The BRICS development cooperation model is based on equity and fairness, Ghana can use its partnership to maximize potential benefits.
Due to the magnitude of the economic problems facing the country, President Mahama must take strategic steps to lead Ghana to BRICS+ without hesitation.
Despite global criticism, the BRICS+ countries have developed and large manufacturing markets and technological advantages. As often argued, BRICS+ is another way to explore long-term investment opportunities and close cooperation with its stakeholders.
The factors mentioned above are favorable for the development of Ghana in the Global South. Based on this, it is time to take advantage of the emerging opportunity to carry out a growing cooperation of high quality, to focus on hope rather than despair and to step up to find more constructive boundaries in building a mutually beneficial relationship in the future.
Kester Kenn Klomegah focuses on the current changes in the country, foreign relations and questions related to economic development in Africa and foreign countries. Many of his resourceful articles have been reprinted in several reputable foreign media.
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© Inter Press Service (2025) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
