The Effects Of Brexit On Africa: A Case Study On Ghana

ABSTRACT

Britain's initial consideration to become a member of the European Community began on 1 August 1961, but officially became a member of the EU on June 7, 1975. The UK in contemporary times has been the second greatest contributor after Germany, to financing the budget of the EU. However, the decision by the UK on June 23, 2016, to leave the European Union (which has been termed ‘Brexit’) has generated much global concerns on both the shortterm and long-term implications this move is going to have in the international system. The repercussions of the decision by the UK to leave the EU will also be felt in other parts of the world such as Africa, particularly Ghana. Therefore, this study focuses on analyzing the effects of Brexit on Africa, with special focus on Ghana. The study utilizes Neo-Functionalism as the main theory for its analysis. The study is purely qualitative and relies primarily on literature review and interviews for data collection and analyses. Findings from the study reveals that Brexit will alter the global political economy in the short-term and these effects will not only be limited to the UK and the EU but will also be felt in other parts of the world such as Africa, particularly Ghana. Findings also reveal that the effects of Brexit on Ghana may be felt economically, politically, socially or diplomatically, environmentally and security wise. Following from the findings, the study concludes that the decision by the UK to leave EU (Brexit) will have significant short-term effects on Africa, especially Ghana. Towards this end, the study recommends that though Brexit may come with several negative implications, Ghana should take advantage of the situations to establish fairer and favourable bilateral trade relations with European countries including the UK, which she had stronger ties with since colonial times. It is recommended that Ghana should take full advantage of Brexit to play a lead role towards encouraging, promoting and strengthening the integration process in the West African subregion and the African continent at large. This will help to better withstand sudden shocks and setbacks that characterize or accompany circumstances which alter the global political economy as witnessed during the 2008 Global Economic Crisis which had significant impacts on African states including Ghana.