India and Ghana have decided to deepen their relationship by working closely in key areas like defence, food security, and vaccine production. This decision was made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana, where he met with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
First Indian PM Visit in 30 Years
PM Modi visited Accra, Ghana’s capital, as part of a five-nation tour. He was warmly welcomed by President Mahama at the airport with a ceremonial greeting. This visit is significant because it is the first by an Indian prime minister in three decades.
Modi and Mahama announced that the relationship between India and Ghana will now be a comprehensive partnership, which means they will work together more deeply across many areas.
India’s Support in Ghana’s Growth
PM Modi highlighted several important projects India has helped build in Ghana, such as:
- Grand Jubilee House (presidential palace)
- Foreign Services Institute
- Komenda Sugar Factory
- India-Ghana Kofi Annan ICT Centre
- Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line
These projects reflect the strong partnership between the two nations. Trade between India and Ghana has crossed $3 billion, and Indian companies have invested $2 billion in over 900 projects. Both countries now aim to double their trade in the next five years.
Read more: PM Modi to Visit 5 Countries in 8 Days — His Longest Foreign Trip in 10 Years
Focus on Defence and Agriculture
The two leaders agreed to boost defence cooperation. This includes:
- Training for Ghana’s armed forces
- Support in maritime and cyber security
- Defence supplies
President Mahama also wants formal agreements in this area and highlighted Ghana’s need to tackle terrorism threats from nearby regions.
In agriculture, India will support Ghana’s “Feed Ghana” programme to improve food security. India also offered help with agricultural machinery and shared plans to work with Ghana on vaccine production.
Tech, Healthcare, and Investment
India has also proposed sharing its UPI digital payments system to improve financial services in Ghana. Modi offered affordable healthcare solutions through India’s Jan Aushadhi Kendras (generic medicine centres).
Indian companies will explore opportunities in mining critical minerals in Ghana. The two countries also agreed to work together in pharmaceutical manufacturing, especially vaccines.
Agreements Signed
India and Ghana signed four major agreements (MoUs):
- Permanent Joint Commission to review and guide cooperation.
- Cultural Exchange Agreement to promote traditions and culture.
- Cooperation between Indian and Ghanaian standards authorities.
- MoU on traditional medicine education and research.
Shared Views on Global Issues
Both countries share similar views on UN reforms and want global issues to be resolved through dialogue, not war. President Mahama also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, and expressed Ghana’s support in the fight against terrorism.
Strong Economic Ties
India is one of Ghana’s top trading partners, and the largest buyer of Ghanaian exports (mostly gold). In FY 2024-25, trade reached $3.1 billion. India also ranks second in number of investment projects in Ghana and fifth in terms of investment value.
Ghana is home to over 15,000 people of Indian origin, many of whom have lived there for decades and are now Ghanaian citizens.
This visit marks a new chapter in India-Ghana relations, with both countries aiming to grow together in defence, trade, agriculture, health, and technology.
