Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India’s commitment to Ghana’s economic and social development, describing India as “not just a partner but a co-traveller” in Ghana’s growth journey. Addressing a joint press conference with President John Mahama during his historic visit to Accra, PM Modi emphasised deepening ties in trade, digital transformation, energy, health, and capacity building to support Ghana’s Vision 2030 goals.
A Landmark Visit Reinforcing India’s Africa Policy
PM Modi’s visit to Ghana is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1957, marking a significant diplomatic milestone. Received with a ceremonial guard of honour at Jubilee House, Accra, PM Modi engaged in wide-ranging discussions with President Mahama, covering development cooperation, defence, and multilateral partnership in global forums.
Key Outcomes of PM Modi’s Ghana Visit
- New $450 Million Line of Credit (LoC) India has extended a fresh $450 million LoC for critical infrastructure projects in Ghana, including:
- Expansion of the Tema-Akosombo railway line, enhancing connectivity between ports and industrial zones.
- Rural electrification projects across northern Ghana to support inclusive growth.
- Affordable housing schemes in peri-urban Accra for low-income families.
- Strengthening Digital and e-Governance Partnership PM Modi proposed comprehensive cooperation under Ghana’s Digital Ghana Agenda, offering:
- Deployment of India’s e-governance solutions such as biometric ID systems, DigiLocker frameworks, and e-NAM models for agriculture market digitisation.
- Establishment of an India-Ghana Digital Excellence Centre in Accra, supported by India’s IT majors and Ghana’s Ministry of Communication.
- Capacity Building and Skill Development
- Expansion of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme to include advanced digital skills, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics training for Ghanaian professionals.
- Scholarships for Ghanaian students under ICCR for STEM and medical studies in Indian institutions.
- Health Sector Collaboration
- PM Modi announced India’s support to set up telemedicine hubs linked with Indian hospitals to improve specialist healthcare access in rural Ghana.
- Agreement to promote procurement of generic medicines from India to reduce healthcare costs in Ghana.
- Energy Cooperation
- India expressed interest in partnering for renewable energy projects, including solar mini-grids for off-grid communities.
- Discussions were held on expanding India’s participation in Ghana’s oil and gas upstream sector under a fair and transparent regulatory framework.
Trade and Investment Roadmap
The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral trade, which stood at $2.6 billion in FY24, by:
- Diversifying Ghana’s export basket to India beyond gold and cocoa to include cashew, shea butter, and processed agri-products.
- Encouraging Indian investments in Ghanaian agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, light manufacturing, and IT-enabled services.
- Fast-tracking the proposed India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee meeting to resolve tariff and market access issues.
Statements from Leaders
PM Modi said:
“India considers Ghana not just as a development partner but as a co-traveller in this transformative journey. We will continue to share our digital, educational, and healthcare expertise to empower Ghanaian youth and enterprises.”
President Mahama welcomed India’s continued commitment:
“India has been a reliable friend of Ghana since our independence. Today’s agreements reaffirm our shared vision for an inclusive, technology-driven, and resilient future.”
India-Ghana Bilateral Trade Snapshot
| Year | Bilateral Trade Value (USD Billion) | Key Indian Exports to Ghana | Key Imports from Ghana |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY21 | 1.8 | Pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, vehicles | Gold, cocoa, cashew |
| FY22 | 2.2 | Same as above | Same as above |
| FY23 | 2.5 | Same as above | Same as above |
| FY24 | 2.6 | Same as above + refined petroleum | Same as above |
(Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India)
India’s Development Projects in Ghana
Currently, India has funded over $1.2 billion in development projects in Ghana, including:
- Komenda Sugar Factory modernisation
- Construction of the Presidential Complex
- Rural electrification in Volta, Northern, and Brong Ahafo regions
- India-Ghana Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence
Cultural Diplomacy Boost
PM Modi announced plans to establish a Tagore Cultural Centre in Accra, promoting language, music, and cultural exchanges. Ghana welcomed India’s proposal to host an India-Africa Youth Festival in Accra in 2026 under its G20 development outreach commitments.
Strategic and Defence Cooperation
The leaders also discussed:
- Enhancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations under UN mandates.
- Facilitating Ghanaian defence officials’ training at Indian military institutions under ITEC Defence Fellowship programmes.
Voices from Industry
Indian business chambers lauded PM Modi’s visit for opening new opportunities in Africa’s fast-growing markets. FICCI Africa Council Chairperson Sanjay Bhatia said:
“Ghana offers a stable and business-friendly environment for Indian MSMEs in agro-processing, pharma, and digital services. The proposed Digital Excellence Centre is a game-changer.”
Challenges Ahead
Experts caution that despite high-level commitments, effective implementation requires:
- Streamlined LoC project execution to avoid delays seen in previous lines of credit.
- Stronger business-to-business linkages, especially for MSMEs.
- Ensuring local employment generation to strengthen people-to-people ties.
Way Forward
The joint statement reaffirmed the commitment to:
- Hold the next Joint Commission Meeting in early 2026 to review progress.
- Conclude negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to protect investments.
- Expand cooperation under the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Conclusion
PM Modi’s declaration of India as a co-traveller in Ghana’s development journey cements a relationship rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and sustainable growth ambitions. As both nations chart a future based on digital innovation, green energy, and inclusive development, this visit is set to redefine India-Ghana ties as a model partnership in South-South cooperation.
Disclaimer: This report is based on official statements from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Ghana, and bilateral agreements signed during PM Modi’s visit. Readers are advised to refer to final MoUs and implementation updates for project-specific details.
