Ghana’s BRICS partnership proposal came from Akufo-Addo-era committee – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s decision to pursue a partnership with the BRICS bloc was first recommended by a ministerial committee set up under the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He disclosed this at a meet-the-press session at Jubilee House on Thursday, November 5, 2026, explaining that the proposal was already before Cabinet when he assumed office and was later approved by his government.

According to him, his administration did not initiate the process but inherited the recommendation and subjected it to Cabinet consideration before endorsing the proposed partnership.

“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.

Mr Mahama further explained: “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.”

He said Cabinet subsequently assessed the proposal and agreed that Ghana’s participation as a BRICS partner would be beneficial. “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.

The President also rejected suggestions that the partnership represents a departure from Ghana’s foreign policy tradition, insisting that closer engagement with the bloc is consistent with the country’s longstanding non-aligned position. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.