In a landmark moment for India-Ghana relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Accra on a historic State Visit, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over three decades. The visit, which underscores India’s commitment to deepening ties with Africa and the Global South, was marked by a ceremonial welcome at the airport by Ghanaian President H.E. John Dramani Mahama—a gesture reflecting the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Elevating India-Ghana Relations to a Comprehensive Partnership
During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mahama held wide-ranging talks at Jubilee House, agreeing to elevate bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Partnership.” The leaders reaffirmed the strong, time-tested relationship between the two countries and outlined a roadmap for expanding cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, digital technology, infrastructure, defence, and people-to-people connections.
Key outcomes of the talks included:
- Setting a target to double bilateral trade—currently over USD 3 billion—within five years.
- Doubling ITEC and ICCR scholarships for Ghanaian students.
- Launching a Skill Development Centre to empower Ghana’s youth.
- Expanding cooperation in FinTech, with India offering to share its UPI digital payment expertise.
- Supporting Ghana’s “Feed Ghana” agricultural initiative and providing affordable healthcare through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- Strengthening defence and security cooperation, including training, maritime security, and cyber security.
- Collaborating on critical minerals exploration and renewable energy, with Ghana invited to join the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Conferred Ghana’s Highest Civilian Honour
In a special ceremony, President Mahama conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,” the nation’s highest civilian honour. The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership. Accepting the honour on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, Prime Minister Modi dedicated it to the aspirations of India’s youth, its cultural diversity, and the historic bonds between India and Ghana.
“This award further deepens the friendship between our countries and places a new responsibility on me to embrace and advance our bilateral ties,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Strengthening South-South Cooperation and Global Partnerships
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, South-South cooperation, and a shared vision for sustainable development and global peace. They discussed regional and international issues, including UN reforms, the fight against terrorism, and ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe—emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Ghana for its active participation in the Voice of Global South Summit and celebrated the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20, achieved during India’s presidency.
Deepening People-to-People Ties
The Indian community in Ghana, numbering around 15,000, continues to play a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations. Indian teachers, doctors, and engineers have contributed significantly to Ghana’s economic and social development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to President Mahama for supporting the Indian diaspora and looked forward to engaging with community members during his visit.
New Agreements to Boost Cooperation
The visit also saw the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of Culture, Standards, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine, and a Joint Commission Mechanism for engagement between the two Foreign Ministries.
Looking Ahead
President Mahama hosted a State Banquet in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who extended a warm invitation to the Ghanaian President to visit India at a mutually convenient time. As both nations look to the future, this historic visit is set to impart new momentum to India-Ghana ties, fostering greater cooperation and shared prosperity.
