By Issah Mohammed, GNA
Accra, Nov. 09, GNA – The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has urged the Government to ensure transparency in its planned negotiations for Ghana to attain partner-country status in the BRICS bloc.
The Institute said the Government must clearly communicate the country’s objectives, conduct negotiations transparently and ensure that any commitments made align with Ghana’s constitutional framework and long-term development priorities.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the IEA on November 9, following the announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on October 6 that Cabinet had approved Ghana’s application for BRICS partner-country status.
While endorsing the initiative, the Institute stressed the need for appropriate institutional and policy mechanisms to ensure Ghana derived maximum developmental benefits from the proposed partnership.
According to the IEA, Ghana’s engagement with BRICS should be assessed based on its potential to strengthen economic resilience, create decent jobs and improve the welfare of citizens.
The Institute identified opportunities in trade, investment, industrialisation, technology transfer and development financing, noting that deeper engagement with BRICS economies could help diversify Ghana’s export markets and attract investment into productive sectors of the economy.
It, however, emphasised that the partnership should complement, rather than replace, Ghana’s existing international relationships.
The IEA noted that the country’s cooperation with the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and African regional institutions remained important to its economic and development agenda.
The Institute further urged the Government to pursue the partnership in a manner that preserved Ghana’s independence in determining its national policies and strategic priorities.
The IEA described the decision to seek BRICS partner-country status as an exercise of sovereign choice, stressing that Ghana had the right to determine its international partnerships in accordance with its national interests.
It said the success of the proposed partnership would ultimately be measured by its contribution to national development, economic resilience and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Issah Mohammed
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