Russia has pledged to support Ghana’s application to join BRICS as a partner country, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promising to rally the bloc’s founding members to secure consensus support for the West African nation.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the development following a breakfast meeting between Lavrov and African foreign ministers on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, on the sidelines of the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit.
In a statement, Hon Ablakwa said Lavrov had announced Russia’s strong backing for Ghana’s application and pledged to engage the founding members of BRICS to build the consensus required for the country’s admission.
“Russian Foreign Minister, His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, has announced at a breakfast meeting with African Foreign Ministers today that Russia strongly supports Ghana’s application to join BRICS as a partner country.”
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The announcement marks a diplomatic boost for Ghana’s efforts to secure partner-country status within the grouping. However, Russia’s support does not constitute approval of the application, which requires consensus among BRICS members.
Lavrov Pledges to Rally Founding Members
According to Hon Ablakwa, Lavrov went beyond expressing Russia’s support by committing to mobilise the founding BRICS countries in favour of Ghana’s application. The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed Ghana’s appreciation for the Russian position, describing Lavrov as a close colleague and friend.
The engagement forms part of strategic discussions between African foreign ministers and the Russian Foreign Minister during the Russia-Africa Summit. The meetings provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement between Russia and African countries on shared interests and cooperation.
Hon Ablakwa did not identify the individual positions of the other BRICS founding members or indicate when a decision on Ghana’s application might be reached.
Ghana Pursues BRICS Partnership
Ghana’s application follows a Cabinet decision announced by Ablakwa earlier in October to pursue engagement with BRICS as a partner country. The Minister has clarified that Ghana is seeking partner-country status rather than full membership.
The distinction is important because partner status offers a framework for engagement with the bloc without conferring the same position as a full member. BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa subsequently joining the grouping. Its membership has since expanded to include other emerging economies.
The partner-country framework provides another avenue for countries to participate in selected BRICS activities and strengthen cooperation with member states. Decisions on partner-country status are made through consensus among BRICS leaders.
Ghana’s application is part of the government’s stated effort to broaden its international economic and diplomatic relationships. Hon Ablakwa has previously explained that the country wants to explore additional opportunities for trade, investment, industrialisation and development while maintaining its established relationships with traditional partners.
Russia’s pledge to lobby the founding members could therefore help Ghana advance its application, although the outcome will depend on the wider consensus process.
Mahama Administration Reaffirms Non-Alignment
Despite welcoming Russia’s backing, Hon Ablakwa stressed that Ghana’s pursuit of BRICS partner status would not alter its longstanding foreign policy of non-alignment.
He reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to maintaining relations with countries across different geopolitical groupings while pursuing partnerships that serve Ghana’s national interests.
“The Mahama Administration will continue to uphold Ghana’s longstanding foreign policy of non-alignment and friends of all, enemies to none as we pursue diversified development options in our national interest.”
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The position signals that Ghana intends to expand its international partnerships without abandoning existing diplomatic relationships.
Non-alignment has historically informed Ghana’s approach to international relations, allowing successive governments to engage with countries holding different political and economic systems. The current administration has presented diversification as a way to widen the options available to Ghana in pursuing its development objectives.
The proposed BRICS partnership is consistent with that stated approach, offering a potential platform for closer engagement with emerging economies while Ghana continues to work with its existing international partners.
Application Awaits Wider BRICS Consensus
Although Russia has pledged to advocate for Ghana, the application has not yet been approved. The bloc’s partner-country process requires consensus among its members, meaning support from Moscow alone cannot determine the outcome.
Lavrov’s commitment to engage the founding members provides Ghana with an additional diplomatic avenue as it seeks the backing needed to advance its application.
For the Mahama administration, the immediate objective remains securing partner-country status while preserving the foreign policy principle of maintaining friendly relations with all countries.
The outcome of the application will determine whether Ghana can formalise its engagement with BRICS under the partner-country framework. Until a consensus decision is reached, Russia’s announcement represents an expression of support rather than confirmation of Ghana’s admission.
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