Ghana and India last Wednesday signed a series of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in health, culture and trade, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his two-day official visit to the country.
The signing ceremony at the Jubilee House, which was witnessed by President John Dramani Mahama and the visiting Indian leader, included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between the two countries.
Other agreements covered collaboration in traditional medicine between Ghana’s Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and India’s Ministry of Ayush, a cultural exchange programme, and the standards harmonisation between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Later that night, President Mahama conferred a state honour, Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, on the Indian Prime Minister in recognition of his transformative leadership, global influence and commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
President Mahama decorated Prime Minister Modi with the state honour at a grand state dinner held in his honour, also at the Jubilee House Presidential Villa in Accra.
Deepening relations
After the signing, President Mahama described the agreements as “a significant step forward” in the long-standing relations between the two Commonwealth nations.
“These pacts give fresh impetus to our shared commitment to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, including health care, trade and cultural exchange,” he said at a joint press briefing last Thursday.
The President disclosed that additional agreements on vaccine production, agricultural machinery supply and defence cooperation were being finalised through diplomatic channels.
With Ghana currently implementing economic reforms under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, President Mahama said the partnership with India would support the country’s economic reset agenda.
“India’s expertise in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and manufacturing aligns perfectly with our development priorities,” he said.
President Mahama used the occasion to extend Ghana’s condolences to India following some recent tragic incidents, including a plane crash.
Hospitality
Prime Minister Modi, whose visit marks the first by an Indian premier in 30 years, addressed Parliament, visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum and held interactions with the Indian community, among other engagements.
The Indian leader thanked Ghana for its hospitality and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations.
The agreements will be implemented through established diplomatic mechanisms, including the newly created Joint Commission.
High state honour
Reading a citation accompanying the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, President Mahama praised the Indian Prime Minister as a “distinguished statesman, bold reformer, and one of the most influential global leaders of this generation.”
He highlighted Mr Modi’s journey from humble beginnings in Vadnagar, Gujarat, to becoming India’s first Prime Minister to serve three consecutive terms, driving economic reforms and positioning India as a global power.
The citation noted key achievements such as the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which unified India’s internal market, as well as flagship initiatives such as “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, which revitalised domestic production and fostered self-reliance.
It also acknowledged his leadership in global fora, including the successful hosting of the G20 Summit and the promotion of the International Solar Alliance, demonstrating his commitment to climate action and sustainable development.
Ghana-India relations strengthened
President Mahama particularly commended Prime Minister Modi’s role in advancing Ghana-India relations, including India’s generous support for the establishment of Ghana’s first Foreign Service Institute.
He stated that under Modi’s leadership, the two nations had deepened cooperation in ways that benefited their peoples and advanced shared aspirations for peace, development and equity.
Modi’s gratitude
For his part, PM Modi expressed profound gratitude to Ghana for the honour, reaffirming India’s commitment to South-South cooperation and shared progress.
“This honour is dedicated to the bright future of our youth, their aspirations, our rich cultural diversity and the historical ties between India and Ghana,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, diplomats and business leaders, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.
