Dipanjan Mondal
03 July, 2025:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ghana’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, from President John Dramani Mahama. This historic event occurred during Modi’s visit, which was the first official trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over 30 years. It underscored the growing strength of ties between the two countries.
In accepting the award on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, the Prime Minister dedicated this honour to the hopes of India’s youth, its cultural traditions and diversity, as well as the historical connections between Ghana and India. PM Modi also expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Ghana for this recognition.
PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama, where they upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. The Prime Minister pointed out the significant potential for cooperation in key areas like critical minerals, defence, maritime security, and energy.
“We discussed our shared visions on development, economic regions, and global governance that includes everyone. We all agree that terrorism is an enemy of humanity. We appreciate Ghana’s support in our fight against terrorism. In this context, we decided to strengthen our cooperation in counter-terrorism,” the Prime Minister stated.
Emphasizing the shared values that form the basis of India-Ghana relations, PM Modi said, “The friendship between India and Ghana is built on our common values, struggles, and dreams for a future that includes everyone. The freedom struggles of our nations have inspired many others. Even now, Ghana is a vibrant democracy in West Africa, serving as a strong example for other countries.”
After the delegation-level discussions, they signed four Memoranda of Understanding. One establishes a Joint Commission meeting at the Foreign Office level. The second focuses on traditional medicine, allowing for expert training exchanges. The third is a cultural exchange program aimed at promoting arts, music, dance, literature, and heritage. The fourth relates to setting standards.
The four signed Memoranda of Understanding include a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) designed to foster greater cultural understanding and exchanges in various fields.
The Prime Minister also announced India’s plan to double trade with Ghana in the next five years and provide the Bharat UPI digital payments system to enhance financial connectivity.
President Mahama noted that both nations are eager to expand economic and diplomatic ties at a critical time for Ghana’s economy.
“Both countries are committed to strengthening economic and investment relations, especially as Ghana undergoes economic restructuring because of the debt treatment process and the ongoing International Monetary Fund programme. Moving forward, Ghana and India plan to pursue these engagements through diplomatic channels, including Foreign Office Consultations and the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, to achieve the desired outcomes of our partnership for mutual benefit,” Mahama stated.
This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over thirty years. It is expected to significantly deepen the India-Ghana partnership and demonstrate India's ongoing engagement with Africa and the Global South.
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