Russia takes over the BRICS presidency on Monday, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia beginning to participate fully.

Sputnik Africa discussed with experts the direction the expanded bloc will take under the Russian presidency in 2024.

The 16th BRICS summit in 2024, chaired by Russia, which aims to lead the bloc toward a new model of world order, is poised for prosperity, political scientist Ruhollah Modabber, told Sputnik.

“Russia’s intention to implement its program in 2024 will bring BRICS closer to a new model of world order. Initiatives in the field of science, food security, infrastructure and medicine are being discussed within the BRICS framework, and prosperity awaits BRICS in 2024,” the expert noted.

He added that Russia adheres to the principle in its foreign policy, and therefore, today many countries want to join BRICS.

Moreover, the bloc provides a platform within which countries in the Global South can interact, Modabber opined.

The expert explained that
BRICS today is not only focused on economic cooperation, but is also “changing the world order.”

This year’s BRICS summit in Russia could spark discussions about increasing the group’s influence through greater cohesion among the new BRICS members, Prof. Patrick Bond, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Centre for Social Change, University of Johannesburg, said.

In addition, the expert, commenting on the bloc’s prospects for this year, expressed hope that BRICS expansion will continue, including through the incorporation of African countries.

He pointed out that African countries need to move more coherently to have a free trade bloc and to have more economies of scale as a trade bloc.

The government of Ethiopia has expressed readiness to play a constructive role in promoting peace and prosperity as a new member of the BRICS family in collaboration with all its members.

Guided by its long-held principles and rich history of multilateralism, the statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs reit
erated that ‘Ethiopia remains committed and ready to play a constructive role in promoting peace and prosperity as a new member of the BRICS family in collaboration with all its members.’

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The People’s National Convention (PNC) will on Thursday, January 4, 2024, open nominations for its regional executive elections across the country.

The regional elections are scheduled to take place from January 15 to January 31, 2024, followed by the national elections on March 2, 2024, and the presidential elections on March 24, 2024.

Ms Janet Asana Nabla, General Secretary, PNC, told the Ghana News Agency that the Party had put measures in place to ensure smooth conduct of the regional elections.

She said the regional elections would be coordinated by the Regional Elections Committee under the supervision of the National Headquarters.

She urged prospective aspirants to obtain nomination forms at the PNC’s regional and national offices at a fee of GHS200.

‘We are the only political party that can bring solution to Ghanaians; so we want all our members to exercise decorum in going through the electoral process.

‘We are a very peaceful political party and we don’t want anyone to go out there to do thin
gs that will destroy the good image of our Party,’ Ms Nabla said.

Per the guidelines approved by the PNC’s National Executive Committee, aspirants are required to pay GHC200 for the regional elections, GHS500 for the national elections and GHS2000 for the presidential elections.

Additionally, presidential aspirants are expected to pay a fee of GHS100,000 whiles persons vying for the national chairperson position will pay GHS35,000.

The vice chairperson and general secretary will each pay GHS25,000 while the national organiser aspirants will pay GHS15,000.

The national women’s organiser, national treasurer, and national youth organiser aspirants will each pay GHS10,000 whiles deputy positions’ aspirants in the national elections will pay GHS5,000 each.

For the regional elections, the regional chairperson aspirants, will pay GHS3,000 and the vice chairperson and regional secretary will pay GHS2,000.

Regional organiser, regional women organiser, regional youth organiser, and regional treasurer aspirants wi
ll pay GHS1,500 whiles deputy aspirants will pay GHS500.

The Party said women contestants in all positions will pay half of the specified amount for their respective positions.

Source: Ghana News Agency