Ghana-India Relations Enter New Era with Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hailed the upcoming two-day state visit by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as a significant milestone in the relations between the two countries. This visit marks a strategic shift in trade, diplomacy, and South-South cooperation, setting the stage for a more robust partnership.
Historic Visit
Prime Minister Modi is set to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, July 2, marking the first visit by an Indian leader in thirty years. The visit is expected to elevate the existing bilateral cooperation between Ghana and India to a more forward-looking partnership, focusing on trade, technology, agriculture, health, defence, and cultural exchange.
Minister Ablakwa emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, “This is not just any visit; this is a state visit, the highest form of diplomatic engagement, and it is historic. It has been 30 long years since an Indian Prime Minister visited Ghana, and we are honoured to receive Prime Minister Modi at this time.”
Key Outcomes
The visit will kick off with a grand welcome ceremony at the Jubilee Presidential Lounge, where President John Dramani Mahama will greet Prime Minister Modi with full state honours. Bilateral discussions between the leaders and their delegations are expected to lead to the establishment of a Ghana-India Joint Commission and the signing of several memoranda of understanding.
While Ghana and India currently maintain a trade volume of $3 billion, with Ghana predominantly exporting gold, Minister Ablakwa stressed that the partnership extends beyond trade. India has been actively supporting various projects in Ghana, including the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, the Komenda Sugar Factory, and the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line, among others.
Historical Ties
The roots of the Ghana-India relationship can be traced back to 1953 when India opened a consulate in Accra. Minister Ablakwa highlighted the historical connections between Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Jawaharlal Nehru, which played a crucial role in shaping the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War era. These historical ties continue to guide the multilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Celebrating Friendship
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will be honored with Ghana’s highest national award, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana, at a state banquet. This award recognizes Modi’s contribution to strengthening the Ghana-India ties and signifies his status as a loyal and strategic friend of Ghana.
On the following day, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with the Indian diaspora in Ghana, pay respects at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and address Parliament. This rare opportunity to address Parliament underscores the strong democratic values shared between India and Ghana.
Building the Future
Minister Ablakwa emphasized that the visit is not merely ceremonial but holds significant implications for the future. The visit aims to foster increased trade, encourage Indian investments in Ghana, and enhance the countries’ positions in global diplomacy.
As Ghana and India embark on this new chapter in their relations, the visit of Prime Minister Modi symbolizes a deepening of ties and a commitment to mutual growth and development.
