The Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress, Hassan Ayariga, has demanded that Ghana’s proposed membership of BRICS undergo parliamentary approval and public consultation. He questioned the authority of President John Dramani Mahama and his Cabinet to make such a significant decision without involving Parliament or the Ghanaian people.
Ayariga issued a statement on Saturday, October 17, 2026, challenging the government's plan announced earlier that month. “Who gave Cabinet the authority to decide for over 34 million Ghanaians without parliamentary and public consultation?” he asked. The government revealed on October 6 that Cabinet had approved a formal application for Ghana to join BRICS, a bloc of emerging economies.
Ayariga cited Article 1(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which states that sovereignty rests with the people. He said the President and Cabinet must operate within constitutional limits and remain accountable to citizens. “My question to President John Dramani Mahama is simple: Who has the authority to determine Ghana’s long-term international economic and geopolitical commitments? Can the President do so without the approval of Parliament and the Ghanaian people?” he added.
He pointed to Article 75 of the Constitution, which allows the President to execute treaties and international agreements only after parliamentary ratification. The APC leader urged Mahama to bring the BRICS membership issue before Parliament for debate and decision. “Mr President, you must therefore place this matter before Parliament for the deliberations and decision of Parliament and the people,” he said.
Ayariga called on the government to clarify the contents, implications, and expected benefits of joining BRICS before moving forward. He stressed the importance of transparency and public understanding in decisions that affect the country's future. “The contents, implications and benefits must be made clear to Ghanaians before membership,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the Cabinet's approval of the application to join BRICS on October 6. Ghana's government has framed the move as an opportunity to expand international partnerships and deepen economic cooperation with developing economies.
BRICS began as a group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but has expanded to include other emerging economies. It aims to strengthen trade, investment, and development collaboration among members.
The Minority in Parliament has also called for an urgent briefing on the government’s decision, seeking to understand the geopolitical consequences and the potential impact on Ghana’s national interests. Ayariga’s insistence on parliamentary and public involvement adds to these calls for greater scrutiny.
The debate over Ghana’s BRICS membership raises questions about the balance of power in foreign policy decisions and the role of democratic processes in shaping the country’s international commitments. The government’s next steps will test how it manages these constitutional and political demands.
According to Joy Online.
