India, Ghana Sign Key Agreements During PM Modi’s Visit, Target Doubling Trade in 5 Years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the African nation in over three decades.
His arrival was met with enthusiasm as members of the Indian community greeted him with chants of ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’.
Warm Welcome and Bilateral Engagements
PM Modi was personally received by Ghanaian President John Mahama. At the airport, the Indian leader was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and a 21-gun salute, reflecting the warmth of Ghana’s welcome.
Later, Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with President Mahama at Jubilee House in Accra.
The discussions focused on strengthening the growing partnership between the two countries and expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, and digital payments.
PM Modi Conferred with Ghana’s Highest Civilian Honour
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi was awarded The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
The recognition was presented by President Mahama in appreciation of Modi’s statesmanship and influential global leadership.
Speaking after the talks, PM Modi highlighted the close ties between India and Ghana. “We were unanimous that terrorism is the enemy of humanity. We thank Ghana for its cooperation in our fight against terrorism. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in counter-terrorism. Our views regarding the UN reforms are similar,” he stated.
Emphasis on Dialogue, Diplomacy and Defence Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi also stressed the importance of peace and diplomacy. “We believe that this is not the time for a war. Problems must be solved through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
Addressing the growing defence and security partnership, Modi added, “In the field of defence and security, we will move forward with the mantra of ‘Security through Solidarity’. India is not just a partner but a co-traveller in Ghana’s nation-building journey.”
Focus on Trade and FinTech
PM Modi underscored the strong trade relations between the two nations. “Our bilateral trade has crossed USD 3 billion. Indian companies have invested 2 billion dollars in around 900 projects. We have decided to double our trade within the next 5 years,” he announced.
Highlighting India’s growing digital footprint, he said, “In the area of FinTech, Bharat UPI will share the digital payment experience with Ghana.”
Recognition of Africa’s Global Role
Prime Minister Modi also referred to the growing importance of African representation in global platforms. “It is a matter of pride for India that under our G20 presidency, the African Union got permanent membership of the G20,” he noted.
India and Ghana Sign Four MoUs
Following the talks, India and Ghana signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation:
MoU on Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP): Aimed at promoting cultural ties through exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, and heritage.
MoU between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA): To enhance cooperation in standardisation, certification, and conformity assessment.
MoU between the Institute of Traditional & Alternative Medicine (ITAM), Ghana and the Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), India: Focused on collaboration in traditional medicine education, training, and research.
MoU on Joint Commission Meeting: To establish a formal mechanism for high-level dialogue and regular reviews of bilateral cooperation.
Comprehensive Partnership for the Future
During the joint press statement, Prime Minister Modi announced that both countries have decided to give the India-Ghana partnership the structure of a Comprehensive Partnership, reflecting their shared commitment to deeper cooperation.
The visit is seen as a significant milestone in India-Ghana relations, reaffirming India’s role as a key development partner in Africa.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ghana was rich in symbolism, powerful statements, and gestures of goodwill, reinforcing the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
