Ayariga demands Parliament vote on Ghana's BRICS bid, questions Cabinet authority

The Founder and Leader of the All People's Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has intensified pressure on the Mahama administration to submit Ghana's proposed BRICS membership to Parliament for formal deliberation and approval, arguing that Cabinet alone cannot commit the nation to such a significant geopolitical shift without broader democratic input.

In a statement released on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Dr Ayariga questioned the constitutional basis for Cabinet's unilateral decision to pursue membership in the bloc of major emerging economies, invoking Article 1(1) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, which vests sovereignty in the Ghanaian people. He challenged whether any executive body has the legitimate authority to determine long-term international commitments affecting 34 million citizens without parliamentary scrutiny or public engagement.

The constitutional case for parliamentary oversight

Ayariga grounded his challenge in constitutional law, specifically citing Article 75 of the Constitution, which permits the President to execute treaties, agreements and conventions on Ghana's behalf but crucially requires parliamentary ratification. This provision, he argues, makes it legally and procedurally impossible for Cabinet alone to bind Ghana to BRICS membership without legislative approval.

The APC leader emphasised that democratic governance extends beyond holding periodic elections—it demands that citizens participate in decisions with profound long-term consequences for the nation's economic relationships, trade policies and geopolitical alignment. He called on President Mahama to bring the BRICS proposal before Parliament immediately, allowing lawmakers to deliberate and the public to understand the full scope of what membership entails.

Ayariga also demanded that the government provide comprehensive disclosure of the proposed membership's contents, implications and anticipated benefits to Ghanaians before any formal commitment is made. This transparency requirement reflects growing concern that critical details about BRICS engagement have not been adequately explained to the public or Parliament.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's potential entry into BRICS represents one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions in recent years, with implications touching trade partnerships, investment flows, currency arrangements and alignment with emerging geopolitical blocs at a time of global economic reconfiguration. The debate over whether Cabinet can make this decision unilaterally or whether Parliament must approve it strikes at the heart of Ghana's democratic system and the separation of powers.

The government initially announced the BRICS application on October 6, 2026, positioning membership as an opportunity to diversify Ghana's international partnerships and strengthen economic cooperation with developing nations. However, the move has sparked significant concern among opposition figures and parliamentary observers who question whether adequate public debate has preceded such a major policy shift.

The Minority in Parliament has joined Ayariga in calling for an urgent government briefing, seeking clear information on geopolitical implications and potential effects on Ghana's national interests. This cross-party concern suggests the issue has transcended partisan politics to become a matter of constitutional procedure and democratic accountability.

Next steps and broader implications

Ayariga's intervention adds weight to demands that the executive branch subject the BRICS matter to formal parliamentary procedure rather than treating it as a purely Cabinet-level decision. His appeal to constitutional principles provides a legal and procedural framework for compelling government action on the issue.

The outcome of this debate will likely establish a precedent for how Ghana handles major international commitments going forward, potentially reshaping the balance between executive authority and parliamentary oversight in foreign policy matters.