ACCRA, October 17, 2026 — Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Alhaji Hassan Ayariga, has questioned the authority of Cabinet to determine Ghana’s proposed participation in BRICS without broader parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation.
In a press statement issued in Accra on Saturday, Dr. Ayariga argued that any major international economic and diplomatic commitment with long-term implications for the country must be subjected to transparency, accountability and democratic debate.
He maintained that Ghana’s sovereignty rests with its citizens and cautioned against treating decisions of national importance as the exclusive preserve of the President and his Cabinet. He said the country’s democratic governance must reflect the interests and aspirations of the people.
Dr. Ayariga clarified that he was not necessarily opposed to Ghana establishing strategic economic and diplomatic relationships with BRICS countries. He acknowledged that such partnerships could create opportunities to expand international trade, attract responsible investment, generate employment and accelerate national development.
However, he insisted that the pursuit of economic opportunities must not become an excuse to undermine constitutional governance, parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability. He therefore challenged the government to explain the legal and policy framework guiding Ghana’s proposed participation.
The APC leader specifically cited Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, which addresses the execution and parliamentary ratification of treaties, agreements and conventions. He argued that any binding international commitments falling under the provision must undergo the appropriate constitutional ratification procedures before becoming binding on Ghana.
He called on President John Dramani Mahama to clarify whether Ghana’s proposed participation would require the signing of binding agreements, financial contributions or other economic and diplomatic obligations. He also questioned whether the Attorney-General had provided a legal opinion on whether parliamentary ratification would be required.
Beyond the constitutional concerns, Dr. Ayariga demanded a comprehensive explanation of what Ghana stood to gain from the proposed BRICS relationship. He questioned whether the country would become a full member or a partner country and called for clarity on the differences, obligations and implications of the two arrangements.
He further asked whether Ghana would have meaningful influence in the grouping’s decision-making processes or risk becoming a participant in an international bloc dominated by larger economies. According to him, the government must demonstrate how the proposed relationship would benefit ordinary citizens, including farmers, traders, manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Ayariga also warned against the possibility of Ghana exchanging one form of economic dependence for another. He argued that the country must avoid becoming overly dependent on any external economic power, regardless of whether it comes from the West or the East.
He stressed that Ghana’s natural resources, including gold, oil, minerals and agricultural products, must be harnessed to support national development. He maintained that international partnerships should promote local industries, strengthen economic independence and create tangible benefits for Ghanaian businesses and citizens.
“GHANA FIRST. GHANAIANS FIRST. NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST,” he declared, emphasising that international cooperation must strengthen Ghana’s sovereignty rather than weaken it.
The APC leader also called on the Speaker of Parliament, the Majority and Minority leadership, and all Members of Parliament to take a keen interest in the proposed arrangement. He urged Parliament to demand a comprehensive briefing from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, covering the anticipated benefits, potential risks, financial implications and legal obligations associated with Ghana’s proposed participation.
As part of his demands, Dr. Ayariga urged the government to publish a comprehensive policy document outlining the objectives, benefits, risks and obligations of the proposed BRICS engagement. He also called for consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, economic experts, business associations and other stakeholders before any final commitments are made.
Concluding his statement, Dr. Ayariga maintained that Ghana was bigger than any President, Cabinet or political party and insisted that citizens must not be treated as spectators in decisions that could shape their economic and political future. He challenged the government to demonstrate that the proposed BRICS engagement would be transparent, economically beneficial and constitutionally sound, declaring: “Ghana is not for sale. Ghana belongs to Ghanaians.”
Read the official statement below!
PRESS STATEMENT
GHANA’S PROPOSED MEMBERSHIP OF BRICS: WHO GAVE CABINET THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE FOR OVER 34 MILLION GHANAIANS WITHOUT PARLIAMENTARY AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION?
BY DR. ALHAJI HASSAN AYARIGA
Founder and Leader, All People’s Congress (APC)
17th October 2026 | Accra, Ghana
GHANA IS A SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, NOT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF A PRESIDENT OR HIS CABINET
I have followed with considerable concern recent media reports and television discussions concerning the decision by the government of President John Dramani Mahama, through his Cabinet and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to pursue Ghana’s participation in BRICS.
As a concerned Ghanaian citizen, a politician, and the Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), I believe this development raises fundamental questions about our constitutional democracy, national sovereignty, parliamentary authority and the right of the Ghanaian people to participate in decisions affecting the future of our country.
Let me state clearly that I am not necessarily opposed to Ghana establishing strategic economic and diplomatic relationships with BRICS countries.
Indeed, Ghana must explore every legitimate opportunity to strengthen its economy, expand international trade, attract responsible investment, create employment and promote national development.
However, the pursuit of economic opportunities must never become an excuse to undermine constitutional governance, parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability.
1. MR. PRESIDENT, GHANA BELONGS TO GHANAIANS, NOT TO THE PRESIDENT.
Ghana is a constitutional democracy governed by the 1992 Constitution.
Article 1(1) clearly establishes that sovereignty resides in the people of Ghana, in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are exercised.
This fundamental constitutional principle must guide every major national decision.
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?
If the President and his Cabinet believe that joining BRICS is in Ghana’s national interest, why should such an important decision not be subjected to broader national discussion?
Why should Parliament, the constitutional representative of the Ghanaian people, not be formally engaged in examining the implications of this proposed relationship?
Why should civil society, political parties, economic institutions, the business community and other national stakeholders not be given an opportunity to contribute?
Mr. President, democracy is not simply about elections every four years.
Democracy is about accountability, transparency, consultation, constitutional responsibility and the participation of the sovereign people in the governance of the country. Fundamental political, economic, legal and social policies must emanate from the people. The sovereign people of Ghana must make the decisions to be executed or implemented by the arms of government.
2. WHAT DOES ARTICLE 75 OF OUR CONSTITUTION SAY?
Mr. President, I wish to draw your attention to Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
Article 75(1) empowers the President to execute or cause to be executed treaties, agreements and conventions in the name of Ghana.
However, Article 75(2) requires such treaties, agreements and conventions to be ratified by Parliament, either through an Act of Parliament or a resolution supported by more than half of all Members of Parliament, before they become binding.
I acknowledge that the Constitution also gives the Executive responsibility for the conduct of foreign policy and empowers Cabinet to assist the President in the performance of his duties.
Nevertheless, Cabinet’s authority to formulate policy must not be confused with the constitutional requirements governing binding international agreements.
Mr. President, you must therefore place this matter before Parliament for deliberation and a decision by Parliament and the people. The contents, implications and benefits must be made clear to Ghanaians before membership. Continuity and sustainability of the proposed BRICS relationship are key considerations that cannot be left to the decision of just one party in power.
Will Ghana be required to sign any binding agreement? Which organ of state commits Ghana to such agreements and laws?
Will there be financial contributions, economic commitments, diplomatic obligations or other conditions? Who will provide the finance?
Will Ghana’s participation require parliamentary ratification under Article 75?
These are legitimate constitutional questions that deserve clear answers.
Cabinet has neither the constitutional nor the legal basis to approve or ratify any such commitments.
3. WHAT EXACTLY IS GHANA JOINING?
BRICS originally brought together Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa subsequently joining the grouping.
The organisation has since expanded to include additional countries.
Interestingly, despite this expansion, the name BRICS has remained unchanged.
Now that Ghana is seeking to participate, I ask:
What exactly does Ghana stand to gain?
What obligations will Ghana assume?
What are the potential economic, political and diplomatic consequences?
Will Ghana become a full member or merely a partner country?
What are the differences between these categories?
Will Ghana have meaningful influence in decision-making, or will we simply become another participant in an international grouping dominated by larger economies?
And most importantly, how will ordinary Ghanaian citizens, farmers, traders, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and businesses benefit?
These questions cannot be dismissed as political opposition.
They are questions of national interest.
4. GHANA MUST NOT EXCHANGE ONE FORM OF ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE FOR ANOTHER.
For decades, African countries have struggled with economic dependency, foreign control of strategic resources, unequal trade relationships and limited industrial development.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the past.
If Ghana seeks to join BRICS to diversify its international relationships, that objective must translate into tangible benefits for Ghanaian citizens and businesses.
We must ensure that our gold, oil, minerals, agricultural resources, industrial opportunities and strategic infrastructure remain instruments of national development.
We cannot continue exporting our raw materials cheaply, importing finished products at enormous costs and allowing foreign interests to dominate strategic sectors of our economy.
Ghana must not move from dependency on Western economic powers into a new dependency on Eastern economic powers.
Whether our partners come from Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East or elsewhere, the guiding principle must remain the same:
GHANA FIRST. GHANAIANS FIRST. NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST.
International cooperation must strengthen our sovereignty, not weaken it.
5. PARLIAMENT MUST NOT BECOME A SPECTATOR IN NATIONAL DECISION-MAKING.
I call upon the Speaker of Parliament, the Majority and Minority leadership, and all Members of Parliament to take a keen interest in this matter.
Parliament must demand a comprehensive briefing from the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the proposed BRICS partnership.
The government should present the economic justification, anticipated benefits, possible risks, financial implications and legal obligations associated with Ghana’s proposed participation to Parliament for consideration by Ghanaians through their elected representatives.
Where the arrangement constitutes a treaty, agreement or convention within the meaning of Article 75, the necessary constitutional ratification procedures must be followed.
Even where parliamentary ratification is not legally required, a matter of this national significance deserves parliamentary debate and public scrutiny.
We must reject the dangerous notion that once a party wins an election, it acquires unlimited authority to make every major national decision without national debate and collective decision-making.
A President is elected to lead the people to govern themselves, not to dictate to the people.
6. MY DIRECT QUESTIONS TO PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
Mr. President, I respectfully ask:
1. Why was the decision to pursue BRICS participation announced without first providing Ghanaians with a comprehensive explanation of its implications?
2. Was Parliament formally consulted before the decision was announced?
3. Has the Attorney-General provided a legal opinion on whether Ghana’s eventual participation will require parliamentary ratification?
4. What specific economic advantages will Ghana obtain from BRICS that cannot be achieved through our existing bilateral and multilateral relationships?
5. What guarantees will protect Ghanaian businesses, local industries, natural resources and strategic national interests?
6. Will the government publish the proposed terms and conditions of Ghana’s participation before undertaking any binding commitments?
7. Will the government undertake broader national consultations before proceeding to any final agreement?
These are not unreasonable demands.
They are the legitimate expectations of citizens living in a constitutional democracy.
7. MY POSITION AND CALL TO GOVERNMENT
As Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress, I call on the government to:
FIRST: Publish a comprehensive policy document explaining the objectives, benefits, risks and obligations associated with Ghana’s proposed BRICS participation.
SECOND: Present the matter to Parliament for appropriate debate, scrutiny and any constitutionally required approval.
THIRD: Engage political parties, civil society organisations, economic experts, business associations and other stakeholders in a transparent national consultation.
FOURTH: Obtain and disclose the relevant constitutional and legal assessment of Ghana’s proposed commitments.
FIFTH: Guarantee that any BRICS arrangement will protect Ghana’s economic independence, national sovereignty and the interests of Ghanaian citizens.
CONCLUSION: GHANA IS BIGGER THAN ANY PRESIDENT, CABINET OR POLITICAL PARTY.
Mr. President, Ghana belongs to all of us.
The Constitution is supreme.
Our sovereignty is not negotiable.
Our democracy must be protected. Our Parliament must be respected.
And our people must never be treated as spectators in decisions that could shape their economic and political future.
Let me emphasise that international partnerships are not inherently wrong. What matters is whether they serve our national interest and comply with our constitutional requirements.
I therefore challenge the government to demonstrate that Ghana’s proposed BRICS participation is transparent, economically beneficial and constitutionally sound.
If Ghana’s participation requires a binding international agreement, the people of Ghana deserve answers before any final commitments are made.
GHANA IS NOT FOR SALE.
GHANA IS NOT THE PROPERTY OF ANY GOVERNMENT, PRESIDENT OR PARTY.
GHANA BELONGS TO GHANAIANS.
And no matter who occupies the presidency, the Constitution must remain supreme.
GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.
GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF GHANA.
……..Signed……..
DR. ALHAJI HASSAN AYARIGA
Founder and Leader
All People’s Congress (APC)
