By: Hannah Dadzie
All is set for the historic visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Ghana. The two-day state visit, which begins tomorrow, July 2, underscores the deepening bilateral relations between Ghana and India. The visit will feature high-level engagements aimed at expanding cooperation in key sectors such as health, agriculture, defense, and technology.
Addressing the media in Accra, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the visit as a symbol of the enduring ties between the two nations. Upon arrival, Prime Minister Modi will receive a ceremonial guard of honour mounted by the Ghana Armed Forces, highlighting the significance of the occasion. Extensive bilateral discussions are expected between Prime Minister Modi and President John Dramani Mahama, along with their respective delegations.
One of the key highlights of the visit will be the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including, Establishment of a Ghana-India Joint Commission, Cooperation between Ghana’s University of Health and Allied Sciences and India’s Ministry of AYUSH in the field of traditional and alternative medicine, Cultural exchange programmes, Vaccine hub collaboration, with India pledging full support for Ghana’s ambition to become a vaccine manufacturing hub for Africa, Standards cooperation between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards and Defense cooperation agreements.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the first day of the visit will culminate in a state banquet at Jubilee House, hosted by President Mahama. During the banquet, Prime Minister Modi will be conferred with Ghana’s highest national honour, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
“This is a rare and prestigious honour, reserved for world leaders who have made remarkable contributions to strengthening relations with Ghana. Prime Minister Modi joins a distinguished list of recipients including President William Ruto of Kenya, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.” The Minister said
Mr Ablakwa said conferment underscores the deep ancestral ties and the special bond of friendship that has historically existed between Ghana and India, dating back to India establishing a consulate in Ghana in 1953, even before Ghana’s independence in 1957. He said the large Indian community in Ghana and their active participation in trade and development have further cemented people-to-people relations over the decades.
On Thursday, July 3, Prime Minister Modi will meet with the Indian community in Ghana and also visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to pay respects, acknowledging the foundational relationship between Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who together conceived the idea of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Mr Ablakwa emphasized that, Prime Minister Modi’s choice to visit Ghana as the first country as part of his five-nation tour reflects the growing positive relations between the two nations.
“Ghana is excited and proud to host Prime Minister Modi. This visit will usher in a new era of strategic cooperation and reaffirm the unique historical and diplomatic bonds that unite us,” the Minister noted.
