Keypoints:
- Ghana and India elevate ties with key MOUs
- Focus on fintech, defence, health, energy, and trade
- Modi hails Ghana as model for West African democracy
GHANA and India have announced a comprehensive strategic partnership following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Accra — the first by an Indian leader in 30 years. The two nations signed a series of agreements aimed at bolstering trade, defence, digital transformation, and renewable energy cooperation.
Historic diplomatic milestone
President John Dramani Mahama, addressing a joint press conference at Jubilee House on Wednesday, hailed the visit as ‘a testament to the deep-rooted historical ties’ between the two countries — links that trace back to Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
‘This visit is a significant honour,’ President Mahama said, adding that it marked the first leg of Modi’s five-nation Africa tour. ‘We are committed to pursuing our reset agenda and will leverage partnerships with likeminded countries such as India to support our economic transformation.’
New deals to energise cooperation
A number of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during the visit. These include the establishment of a permanent joint commission, partnerships in traditional medicine, cultural exchange, vaccine production, agricultural machinery supply, and defence cooperation.
Modi announced that India will double the ICCR scholarships it offers to Ghanaian students and support the creation of a vocational development centre in agriculture. He also pledged support for Ghana’s fintech sector and the establishment of health centres offering affordable care.
Security and minerals collaboration
The two leaders agreed to deepen defence cooperation, particularly in cyber security, maritime security, and armed forces training. Modi said Indian companies would support Ghana in the exploration and mining of critical minerals.
‘We discussed cooperation in vaccine production and security. We will move forward following the mantra: security through solidarity,’ Prime Minister Modi stated. ‘We will increase cooperation in cyber security and critical minerals development.’
Green energy and global cooperation
India invited Ghana to join the Global Biofuels Alliance as part of efforts to increase renewable energy adoption, including clean cooking gas solutions.
The visit also touched on regional security and global governance. Both leaders expressed concern over conflicts in West Asia and Europe, affirming that this is ‘not an era of war’ but one for diplomacy and cooperation.
India thanked Ghana for its support in securing African Union permanent membership in the G20. President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s support for reforming global institutions and stressed the importance of equitable global partnerships.
People-to-people ties
The Indian community in Ghana was praised for their contributions to health, education, and engineering. Modi expressed eagerness to meet with Indian diaspora leaders before his departure and invited President Mahama to visit India soon.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi was awarded Ghana’s highest national honour, the Order of the Star of Ghana, at a state banquet held in his honour. He also visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as a symbol of South-South solidarity.
