Akufo-Addo’s govt initiated Ghana’s BRICS partnership idea – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has credited the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with initiating Ghana’s move to become a partner country of the BRICS bloc.

He said the decision was in line with Ghana’s long-standing foreign policy of non-alignment and should not be viewed as a shift away from the country’s diplomatic principles.

Addressing a meet-the-press session at the Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, 2026, President Mahama disclosed that a ministerial committee established under the Akufo-Addo administration had recommended that Ghana pursue a partnership with the bloc.

According to him, the committee's proposal had been presented to Cabinet before the change of government and was subsequently reviewed and approved by his administration.

“Let me also tell you, the ministerial committee that sat and recommended that Ghana should accede to BRICS partnership was under Nana Akufo-Addo,” he said.

“We came and met their recommendation. And so, we didn’t set up the ministerial committee. It was set up under the former NPP administration.”

Mr Mahama explained that after assuming office, his government considered the recommendation and agreed that establishing a partnership with BRICS would serve Ghana’s interests.

“And so, the recommendation was submitted to Cabinet. And so, when we came, we met it. And so, Cabinet sat on it and said, it’s a good idea to be a BRICS partner. And so, we approved it,” he added.

His comments shed light on the origins of Ghana’s decision to deepen its engagement with BRICS, a bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.