Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has expressed doubts about the benefits Ghana could gain from joining the BRICS bloc, particularly in terms of access to financial support.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on October 7, 2026, Pratt said he was uncertain whether membership would provide Ghana with significant economic or financial benefits.
“I’m not so sure what the benefits of joining BRICS now may be. I’m not sure at all,” he stated.
He also questioned whether Ghana could secure the approval of all existing BRICS member states for its membership.
“I’m not even sure if Ghana can join BRICS at this stage. I’m not sure if we can get the endorsement of all five member states of BRICS to join it,” he said.
Pratt argued that even if Ghana joins the bloc and seeks financial assistance, approval requirements involving international financial institutions could still limit the support available to the country.
“Even if you join BRICS and we're seeking some financial assistance and so on, the very fact that we have to go through approval mechanisms which require the endorsement of the World Bank and IMF is problematic for us,” he said.
He further pointed to Ghana’s relationship with South Africa as a factor that could influence the country’s prospects within BRICS.
According to Pratt, the relationship between Ghana and South Africa was “not the best”, although he did not believe South Africa would necessarily block Ghana’s membership.
He said South Africa remained interested in improving relations with Ghana but noted that developments in the country’s domestic politics could also affect its influence.
Pratt therefore maintained that Ghana should focus on the practical benefits BRICS membership would offer, particularly as the country continues to rely on international financial institutions for support.
