Narendra Modi’s Historic Visit to Ghana after 30 years: Strengthening India-Ghana Ties

Accra Ghana – On July 2-3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Ghana, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister had visited the West African nation in over three decades. The visit, part of a five-nation tour including Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, underscored India’s renewed focus on deepening ties with Africa, particularly in the context of the Global South. The two-day visit to Accra was a significant milestone in India-Ghana relations, elevating their partnership to a “Comprehensive Partnership” and fostering cooperation in trade, defense, and development. Below is a detailed account of the verifiable facts surrounding this landmark visit.

Warm Welcome and Historic Significance

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Accra, Ghana, on July 2, 2025, and was personally received at Kotoka International Airport by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, a gesture Modi described as a great honor. The warm welcome included a traditional military guard of honor, Ghanaian drummers, and dancers adorned in colorful kente cloth, reflecting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. Children waving flags and a performance featuring “Hare Krishna” chants added to the heartwarming reception. This visit was notable as the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana since 1995, highlighting its strategic importance in India’s Africa policy.

Bilateral Talks and Comprehensive Partnership

During his visit, PM Modi held wide-ranging bilateral talks with President Mahama, focusing on strengthening strategic ties between India and Ghana. The discussions culminated in the elevation of India-Ghana relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, emphasizing cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, mining, trade, and economic restructuring. Both leaders set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade within five years, building on existing Indian investments in Ghana, particularly in construction machinery, medicine, and automobiles. The talks also addressed regional and international issues, including counter-terrorism efforts. Modi expressed gratitude for Ghana’s solidarity following the Pahalgam attack and emphasized a united stance against terrorism, stating, “Terrorism is the enemy of humanity.” India offered to share expertise in health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and skill development to support Ghana’s development goals.

Signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

India and Ghana signed several key MoUs to enhance cooperation in various fields. A notable agreement was between Ghana’s Institute of Traditional & Alternative Medicine (ITAM) and India’s Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), aimed at collaboration in traditional medicine education, training, and research. Other agreements focused on defense, food security, vaccines, and critical mineral mining, reflecting a broad commitment to mutual growth.

Prestigious Honor and Cultural Gestures

On July 2, President Mahama conferred upon PM Modi Ghana’s highest national honor, “The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,” in recognition of his distinguished statesmanship and global leadership. Modi described the award as a responsibility to further strengthen India-Ghana friendship, emphasizing shared democratic values. The ceremony underscored the deepening diplomatic ties between the two nations. In a symbolic gesture of cultural connection, two Ghanaian Members of Parliament wore Indian attire during Modi’s address to the Ghanaian Parliament, showcasing their appreciation for Indian culture. The Indian diaspora in Ghana, numbering around 15,000, also warmly welcomed Modi, reflecting strong people-to-people ties.

Historic Address to Ghanaian Parliament

On July 3, PM Modi delivered a landmark address to the Ghanaian Parliament, the first by an Indian leader in a special session of the parliament. He highlighted the shared history of colonial struggles and the “free and fearless” spirits of both nations. Modi described India-Ghana ties as “sweeter than sugarloaf pineapple,” emphasizing their deep cultural and democratic bonds. He also noted India’s diversity, mentioning that the country has over 2,500 political parties, which drew smiles and applause from Ghanaian MPs. Modi invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, further fostering parliamentary diplomacy. Modi emphasized India’s commitment to the Global South, referencing its G20 presidency and advocacy for African representation in global governance. He called for urgent reforms in global institutions to reflect the aspirations of developing nations.

Tribute to Kwame Nkrumah

On July 3, Modi visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra to pay floral tribute to Ghana’s founding President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose leadership in Ghana’s independence movement and pan-African vision resonated with India’s own anti-colonial history. Modi quoted Nkrumah’s words on African identity and reaffirmed India’s commitment to African partnership, noting the shared scars of colonial rule and aspirations for freedom.

Key Outcomes and Strategic Importance

The visit marked a significant step in India’s engagement with West Africa, with Ghana seen as an economic powerhouse and a strategic partner amid global competition involving China, Russia, and Western powers. The New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament, led by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, praised the visit and India’s contributions to Ghana’s development in education, trade, technology, healthcare, and human resource capacity-building. The caucus proposed establishing a Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Association to institutionalize the partnership.

Modi expressed India’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s economic restructuring and nation-building, describing India as a “co-traveler” in Ghana’s development journey. The visit also highlighted Ghana’s potential role in BRICS, with discussions on its membership, and India’s support for Ghana’s agriculture and vaccine hub initiatives.

Broader Context of the Five-Nation TourThe Ghana visit was the first leg of Modi’s eight-day, five-nation tour from July 2-9, 2025, aimed at strengthening India’s ties with the Global South. After concluding his visit to Ghana on July 3, Modi departed for Trinidad and Tobago, followed by planned visits to Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The tour reflects India’s focus on expanding economic and diplomatic engagement with key regions, with Ghana serving as a critical entry point into West Africa.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana on July 2-3, 2025, was a historic milestone in India-Ghana relations, marking the first such visit in over 30 years. The elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, the signing of key MoUs, and Modi’s prestigious honor underscored the deepening strategic, economic, and cultural bonds between the two nations. By addressing shared challenges, honoring historical ties, and committing to mutual growth, the visit laid the foundation for a robust partnership, positioning India as a key player in Africa’s development and Ghana as a vital partner in India’s global vision.