President John Dramani Mahama and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi have held high-level bilateral talks in Accra, Ghana, aimed at expanding collaborations across key sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, education, energy, and healthcare.
The discussions, held during Prime Minister Modi’s historic two-day official visit to Ghana—the first by an Indian leader in over three decades—also focused heavily on FinTech, skill development, and the use of technology to advance development.
Critical minerals, security, maritime
Both leaders explored opportunities for joint collaboration in critical minerals, defence, maritime security, and cyber security. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the discussions were “extremely fruitful” and reflected a shared vision of mutual growth, peace, and solidarity.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the formal elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, aimed at yielding long-term benefits for the peoples of both countries.
Doubling trade within five years
Prime Minister Modi announced that India and Ghana had agreed to double bilateral trade within five years.
Ghana-India trade currently stands at approximately $3 billion, with Ghana enjoying a trade surplus due to strong gold exports. Trade volumes had previously peaked at $4.5 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commitment to global peace and security
The two leaders affirmed their joint stance against terrorism, describing it as the “enemy of humanity.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to Ghana for its cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and pledged to advance defence ties under the mantra of “security through solidarity.”
This will include enhanced training of armed forces, support for maritime security, defence supply chains, and cyber security collaboration.
Both sides also shared serious concerns about ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe.
They called for de-escalation and reiterated that “this is not an era of war,” urging global powers to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi honoured by Ghana
In a show of deep appreciation, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with “The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana”, Ghana’s highest national honour. The award was presented by President Mahama for Modi’s “distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership.”
President Mahama praised the visit as a “powerful symbol of mutual respect and cooperation” that reflects both countries’ dedication to global peace, prosperity, and South-South solidarity.
Historic ties and cultural bonds reaffirmed
The Ghanaian President recalled that Indian merchants first arrived in Ghana as early as 1890, with many families settling permanently and contributing to Ghana’s growth.
Today, the Indian community is a vital part of Ghana’s economy, engaged in sectors such as commerce, health, education, and agribusiness.
President Mahama described the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a powerful symbol of mutual respect and cooperation between Ghana and India, reflecting their shared commitment to global peace, prosperity, and South-South solidarity.
He noted that the Indian leader’s presence marked a historic milestone in Ghana-India relations and reaffirmed both nations’ aspirations for development and multilateral reform.
“Your visit, Honourable Prime Minister, is both deeply symbolic and substantive, reflecting the shared values of democracy, development, and international cooperation that unite our people and reaffirm our collective commitment to global peace, prosperity, and South-South cooperation,” President Mahama stated.
President Mahama highlighted the vital contributions of the Indian community to Ghana’s economy, describing them as “astute investors” engaged in key sectors such as commerce, education, healthcare, and agribusiness.
He also praised India’s sustained support for Ghana’s development agenda.
He emphasized that India’s emergence as a global economic force presents new opportunities for deepening bilateral trade and integrating into global value chains, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose Secretariat is based in Accra.
President Mahama further observed that India’s rapid economic growth offers Ghana and the rest of Africa the chance to participate more competitively in global markets through strategic regional platforms like the AfCFTA.
He concluded with a toast to the enduring Ghana-India partnership, expressing optimism that Prime Minister Modi’s visit would usher in a new era of deeper collaboration anchored in mutual respect, shared prosperity, and a unified global vision.
$450m lines of credit
India has long played a trusted role in Ghana’s development, having extended lines of credit totaling over $450 million over the past two decades.
These credit facilities have supported numerous transformative projects across sectors such as energy, agriculture, ICT, transport, and education, underscoring the depth and breadth of India-Ghana economic cooperation.
Over the years, India has proven to be one of Ghana’s most reliable and strategic development partners, with decades of collaboration yielding high-impact initiatives across key sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, and education.
The two countries share a deep-rooted history of friendship and cooperation dating back to the early days of Ghana’s independence. India established a consulate in Accra in 1953, even before formal diplomatic relations were initiated in 1957.
Since then, both nations have built on the foundation laid by their founding leaders, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Jawaharlal Nehru, through shared commitments to political solidarity, trade, investment, and South-South cooperation.
Flagship development projects
Several flagship development projects have been financed through Indian lines of credit and grants.
These include the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence, commissioned in 2003; the Komenda Sugar Factory, established under the Mahama administration with Indian support; and the Elmina Fish Processing Plant, completed in 2016.
Other major initiatives include the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line, part of a broader vision to connect Ghana with Burkina Faso; the Tamale-Wa Road; and the agricultural machinery assembly plant, which provides tractors, harvesters, and farm inputs to Ghanaian farmers.
India has also supported the Rural Electrification Project, bringing electricity to hundreds of off-grid communities, as well as the establishment of the Foreign Service Institute, the first of its kind in West Africa, funded through an Indian grant.
These projects have had a transformative impact on communities across the country, further solidifying India’s reputation as a dependable and enduring partner in Ghana’s development journey.
As part of his visit, on Thursday, July 3, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with members of the Indian community in Ghana, pay tribute to the legacy of Ghana’s founding President at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and deliver an address to Ghana’s Parliament.
