Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ghana on the first leg of his five-nation tour, marking a historic moment as the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the West African nation in over thirty years. His arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra was met with a ceremonial guard of honour and a traditional welcome, setting the tone for a visit marked by deep cultural connection and mutual respect.
A particularly touching moment occurred when a group of young Ghanaian children greeted the PM Narendra Modi with the devotional chant “Hare Rama Hare Krishna.” The gesture highlighted the strong cultural affinity and spiritual resonance between the two nations. Later, a musical performance was organised at the hotel where the Prime Minister is staying, which he watched with visible delight.
In recognition of his visit and the growing bilateral relationship, Ghana conferred upon Prime Minister Modi its highest state honour, the Companion of the Order of the Star, during a state banquet. The occasion symbolised the strength and warmth of the India-Ghana relationship.
#WATCH | Ghana: A group of young children recite 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as they welcome him to Accra.
(Video: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/uzRrjowGUG
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2025
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation: Four MoUs Signed
Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama, where the two leaders announced the elevation of India-Ghana relations to a Comprehensive Partnership. This major diplomatic upgrade was accompanied by the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), reflecting the growing collaboration between the two countries across multiple sectors.
The first MoU was a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) aimed at promoting exchanges in music, dance, art, literature, and heritage, reinforcing people-to-people connections. The second MoU between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) aims to boost cooperation in standardisation, certification, and conformity assessment.
The third MoU signed between the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM), Ghana and the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), India, seeks to enhance cooperation in traditional medicine education and research. The fourth agreement institutionalises high-level dialogue through a Joint Commission Meeting, ensuring regular review of bilateral engagements.
During the delegation-level talks, Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi noted that the agreements cover vital areas of culture, health, standardisation, and institutional dialogue, opening new avenues for cooperation and understanding.
The talks with President John Dramani Mahama were extremely fruitful. We have elevated our ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, which will be beneficial for the people of our nations. We discussed ways to improve trade and economic linkages. Cooperation in FinTech, skill… pic.twitter.com/2CvQjtMEwN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2025
Focus on Trade, Energy, and Critical Minerals
Trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions between the two leaders. Prime Minister Modi noted that Indian companies have already invested close to $2 billion across 900 projects in Ghana, demonstrating India’s strong economic footprint in the country. He added that both sides have now set a target to double bilateral trade within the next five years.
Modi also offered India’s support to Ghana in the field of FinTech, stating that India is ready to share its UPI digital payments system, a move that could revolutionise Ghana’s digital financial ecosystem. He further emphasised the readiness of Indian companies to collaborate in the exploration and mining of critical minerals, a sector with growing strategic importance.
In the field of energy, both countries recognised the vast potential for cooperation, aiming to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships. The Indian Prime Minister’s proposals underscored India’s commitment to empowering its partners in the Global South through technology transfer, investment, and capacity building.
I thank the people and Government of Ghana for conferring ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’ upon me. 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.
This… pic.twitter.com/coqwU04RZi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 2, 2025
Shared Vision on Security and the Global South
Counter-terrorism and security cooperation also featured in the discussions. Prime Minister Modi stated that India and Ghana are unanimous that terrorism is the enemy of humanity. He expressed appreciation for Ghana’s cooperation in India’s fight against terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen mutual counter-terrorism collaboration.
Modi articulated a shared approach to defence and security under the guiding principle of “security through solidarity.” This vision aligns with India’s broader strategic approach towards global peace, cooperation, and collective security.
The Prime Minister’s visit marks a significant milestone not only in India-Ghana relations but also in India’s broader outreach to Africa and the Global South. After concluding his engagements in Ghana, Prime Minister Modi will continue his diplomatic tour with visits to Trinidad and Tobago (July 3–4), Argentina (July 4–5), Brazil for the 17th BRICS summit, and Namibia.
