Ghana has secured Russia’s backing for its bid to join BRICS as a partner country, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on Wednesday.
Ablakwa said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support during a breakfast meeting with African foreign ministers and pledged to seek agreement from the bloc’s founding members.
Ghana announced its intention to join BRICS earlier in October, with Ablakwa saying President John Dramani Mahama had approved the move as part of efforts to diversify the country’s international partnerships, expand economic opportunities and strengthen ties with the Global South.
The announcement came during a visit to Ghana by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
BRICS, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include several additional countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia’s membership status remains disputed.
