Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended Ghana’s pursuit of BRICS membership, arguing that the United States’ own dealings with Russia demonstrate the importance of pursuing national interests.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Mr Ablakwa cited President Donald Trump’s recent diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to challenge warnings that Ghana’s engagement with the bloc could attract American sanctions.
He argued that Ghana should not be discouraged from building relations with BRICS countries while Washington continued to pursue economic agreements with those same nations.
Mr Ablakwa said that while critics were urging Ghana to fear Mr Trump’s influence, the US President was making strategic decisions to advance American interests.
“If we really analyse this, President Trump has not stopped dealing with these BRICS countries. He (Donald Trump) has just got into a deal with Russia, President Putin, for diesel as his midterm elections approach, and President Zelensky (Ukrainian President) is furious,”
“So we are being told that because of threats from President Trump, our foreign policies should be determined by threats that other countries may be putting out when those same countries are themselves being strategic, being smart, and they are dealing with the countries that you are afraid to deal with,” he argued.
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He also pointed to economic ties between China and the United States as evidence that cooperation could continue despite political differences. “Indeed, China remains the biggest creditor to the US.”
The Minister linked Ghana’s BRICS ambitions to the vision of the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, presenting the move as consistent with his pursuit of international solidarity and economic independence.
His comments followed concerns, particularly from the opposition New Patriotic Party, about the possible implications of closer engagement with the bloc for Ghana’s relations with Washington.
On October 6, Mr Ablakwa announced that Cabinet had approved Ghana’s decision to formally apply to join BRICS, saying the move would diversify international partnerships and create opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The Trump–Putin agreement cited by the Minister was announced on October 9 following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
According to Reuters, Mr Trump said Russia would supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets as part of efforts to reduce fuel prices.
The arrangement involved easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports. It drew criticism from Ukraine and US lawmakers concerned that the additional revenue could support Moscow’s war effort.