This is the primary go to to the West African nation by an Indian premier in three a long time. (Narendra Modi)
Modi arrived within the Ghanaian capital of Accra on Wednesday as a part of a five-nation tour and was obtained on the airport personally by Mahama and given a ceremonial welcome. This is the primary go to to the West African nation by an Indian premier in three a long time and Modi’s journey is a part of India’s outreach to the Global South.
“Today, the president and I made a decision to raise our bilateral relationship right into a complete partnership,” Modi informed a joint media interplay with Mahama after their talks on Wednesday.
“In Ghana’s journey of nation constructing, India isn’t just a supporter, however a fellow traveller.”
Modi listed the Grand Jubilee House, Foreign Services Institute, Komenda Sugar Factory, India-Ghana Kofi Annan ICT Centre, and Tema Mpakadan Railway Line – all constructed with Indian help – as symbols of the bilateral partnership. With two-way commerce crossing $3 billion and Indian corporations investing $2 billion in 900 initiatives throughout Ghana, the 2 sides set a goal of doubling commerce over the subsequent 5 years.
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The two leaders highlighted their plans to speed up cooperation in key areas reminiscent of defence cooperation, meals safety and prescription drugs, particularly vaccines. These initiatives dovetail with Mahama’s “Ghana Reset Agenda”, launched six months in the past.
“In agriculture, it will likely be our pleasure to lend help in the direction of President Mahama’s ‘Feed Ghana’ programme,” Modi mentioned, talking in Hindi. “We’ve mentioned cooperation in vaccine manufacturing.
“In defence and safety, we’ll transfer ahead with the mantra of ‘safety via stability’. Cooperation will probably be prolonged in coaching of armed forces, maritime safety, defence provides and cyber safety,” he mentioned.
Mahama mentioned Ghana is eager to signal formal agreements with India on defence cooperation, vaccine manufacturing and provide of agricultural equipment. “Both international locations will work to deepen financial and funding relations at a time that Ghana is present process financial restructuring as a result of debt remedies we’re present process within the IMF programme,” he mentioned.
Modi supplied to share India’s experience with the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) digital funds system with Ghana and to supply reasonably priced healthcare via Jan Aushadhi Kendras. “Indian corporations shall cooperate within the exploration and mining of vital minerals,” he mentioned.
The two leaders additionally mentioned counter-terrorism and Modi mentioned the 2 international locations will strengthen their cooperation in these efforts. “We categorical our honest gratitude to Ghana for its cooperation in our combat in opposition to terrorism,” he mentioned.
“Our views on UN reforms are carefully aligned. We each have expressed deep concern at ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe. We firmly consider that this isn’t an period of conflict. Issues should be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy,” he mentioned.
The two international locations signed 4 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), together with one on making a everlasting Joint Commission to institutionalise high-level dialogue and evaluate bilateral cooperation, and one other on cultural exchanges.
Another MoU was signed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to boost cooperation in certification and conformity evaluation, whereas Ghana’s Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) and India’s Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) finalised an MoU on conventional drugs training, coaching and analysis.
Dammu Ravi, secretary (financial relations) within the exterior affairs ministry, informed a media briefing that Mahama sought India’s help to develop Ghana as a “meals basket” and supply meals safety to the folks, and to create a vaccine hub within the nation to cater to West Africa.
“Some growth has already taken place in collaboration with the Global Vaccine Alliance and, in that context, he needs Indian entrepreneurs to…arrange manufacturing models in pharma and vaccines, the place India clearly has superior its capacities,” Ravi mentioned.
Mahama additionally sought defence cooperation within the context of Ghana’s issues associated to terrorism from the Sahel area and piracy in close by seas. “There is obvious curiosity to have India’s help when it comes to help of the gear, coaching of personnel and to have the ability to supply gear from India,” he mentioned.
“There was additionally concern for the best way terrorism is affecting the world. President Mahama clearly expressed solidarity with India. He condemned the Pahalgam terrorist assault, and he was very clear and unequivocal in his help for India and solidarity within the combat in opposition to terrorism,” Ravi mentioned.
Ghana is among the quickest rising economies in West Africa, and India is among the many nation’s prime buying and selling companions. India can also be the most important vacation spot for Ghanaian exports, pushed largely by imports of gold, which accounts for greater than 70% of complete imports from Ghana. In FY 2024-25, two-way commerce reached $3.1 billion, with India’s exports amounting to $1.34 billion.
India is among the prime traders in Ghana, rating second in variety of initiatives (11) and fifth when it comes to FDI worth ($ 16.08 million) throughout January-September 2024.
Ghana is residence to an Indian group of greater than 15,000. Some of them have been within the nation for greater than 70 years and most have acquired Ghanaian citizenship.
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