Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a decision to formally apply for membership of the BRICS geopolitical and economic bloc, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.

Ablakwa disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit by India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, saying Ghana had already sought India’s support for its application.

He said the move was aimed at diversifying Ghana’s economic and diplomatic partnerships and creating more opportunities for cooperation with countries in the Global South.

“The Cabinet of President John Dramani Mahama has decided that Ghana should put in a formal application to join BRICS,” Ablakwa said.

He added that membership would provide Ghana with greater economic options and broaden its international partnerships.

“Joining India in BRICS will give us economic options, will diversify our base and our partnerships, and will also allow us to have more cooperation within the global south framework,” he said.

Jaishankar said India supported Ghana’s aspiration but noted that its application would have to be considered by the wider BRICS grouping.

BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China and has expanded in recent years to include countries such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also members of the bloc.