GG News Bureau
Accra, 2nd July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and spirited welcome as he arrived in Ghana on Wednesday, marking the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in over three decades.
At Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama extended a special personal welcome, setting the tone for what is being seen as a landmark visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties between the two nations.
As the Prime Minister reached his hotel, members of the Indian diaspora and local well-wishers gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans of “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”. In a touching moment that underscored India’s cultural influence, a group of Ghanaian children greeted Mr Modi with the devotional chant “Hare Rama Hare Krishna,” creating an emotional atmosphere.
The Indian community in Ghana, numbering over 15,000 with several families rooted there for four generations, turned out in strong numbers to meet the Prime Minister. One unforgettable moment during the interaction came when PM Modi was seen holding a young child in his arms, drawing smiles from onlookers and family members alike.
Following his arrival, Prime Minister Modi and President Mahama met for an initial interaction at the airport’s Jubilee Lounge. “Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and ECOWAS,” said PM Modi in a statement earlier in the day. “I look forward to further deepening our historical ties and exploring cooperation in investment, health, energy, security and development.”
Later on Wednesday evening, delegation-level talks are scheduled between the two nations, focusing on strengthening economic, defence, and digital infrastructure cooperation. Ghana is currently undergoing an extensive economic restructuring, and India’s participation in areas like vaccine development, digital public goods, and critical minerals is expected to play a key role.
India has also expressed willingness to support Ghana in creating a regional vaccine hub, not just for the country but for the entire West African region.
On Thursday, PM Modi is scheduled to address Ghana’s Parliament — the first Indian Prime Minister to do so — followed by a community interaction with the Indian diaspora.
This visit forms part of PM Modi’s five-nation tour, with subsequent stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. He is also scheduled to attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 5 and 6.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ghana visit is a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Africa, particularly with regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
