Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming two-day state visit as “a defining moment in Ghana–India relations,” marking a pivotal shift toward enhanced strategic collaboration, bilateral trade, and South–South cooperation. Scheduled from Wednesday, 2 July to Thursday, 3 July 2025, Modi’s visit is particularly notable as it is the first by an Indian prime minister in three decades—since Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao’s trip in 1995.
Ablakwa underlined the timing of the visit as fitting for both nations, which are now deepening long-standing ties built on shared goals in multiple sectors, including trade, digital technology, agriculture, healthcare, defence, and diplomatic engagement . In a press conference held in Accra, he emphasised the visit’s historic importance. “This is not just any visit; it is historic,” Ablakwa remarked, noting that Ghana is honoured to host the Indian prime minister at such a meaningful time.
Reaffirming India’s faith in Ghana as a dependable African partner, the minister suggested that Modi’s trip will elevate decades of collaboration into a robust, forward-looking partnership. The visit will validate India’s developmental dedication to Ghana and unlock new cooperation paths.
Ablakwa traced the Ghana–India relationship back to its origin in 1953, when India opened a consulate in Accra. He also recalled the close relationship between Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru—leaders whose bond helped forge the Non‑Aligned Movement during the Cold War.
On the economic front, he pointed out that Ghana and India’s bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 3 billion. Remarkably, Ghana maintains a trade surplus, driven largely by gold exports, which remain central to the partnership. He noted that India has extended over USD 450 million in lines of credit and grants over the past two decades to support high-impact initiatives in Ghana.
Ablakwa listed several signature projects financed or supported by India, including the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, which has been instrumental to Ghana’s digital transformation; the Komenda Sugar Factory and the Elmina Fish Processing Plant, which contribute to agro-industrial growth; and the Tema–Mpakadan Railway Line, a strategic infrastructure link enhancing regional connectivity. He also mentioned the Tamale–Wa road and the Rural Electrification Project, transformative programs that have benefitted underserved communities.
The visit’s agenda is packed with high-level engagements aimed at cementing and expanding the partnership. Modi will be greeted at Kotoka International Airport with full honours, including a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial guard of honour mounted by the Ghana Armed Forces—an indication of the importance Accra attaches to this visit. President John Dramani Mahama will welcome him personally and host him at a state banquet at Jubilee House, where Modi will be awarded Ghana’s highest national accolade, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
The visit will include bilateral meetings and expanded discussions with key ministers, culminating in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding. Expected agreements include establishing a Ghana–India Joint Commission to institutionalise regular diplomatic and economic dialogue; a MoU between Ghana’s Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the University of Health and Allied Sciences paired with India’s AYUSH ministry; agreements in defence and standards alignment; enhanced collaboration in agriculture; and support for Ghana’s ambition to establish itself as a vaccine-manufacturing hub in Africa.
One of the visit’s major symbolic acts is Modi’s address to the Parliament of Ghana on Thursday, 3 July, a rare and historic gesture reflecting democratic solidarity. Ablakwa highlighted its significance by calling it “the biggest democracy speaking to Africa’s most vibrant democracy”.
In addition, Modi will engage with the Indian community in Ghana—estimated at over 15,000 nationals—demonstrating the deep people-to-people ties underpinning diplomatic links. He will also pay homage at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, honouring his shared legacy with Nkrumah and Nehru as founders of the Non‑Aligned Movement.
Analysts and officials alike view the visit as a milestone marking the shift from a historic friendship to a modern strategic alliance, where mutual benefit, shared development goals, and joint investments shape the future. Trade volumes are projected to climb beyond the current USD 3 billion mark, with forecasts hinting at a return to levels around USD 4.5 billion, which prevailed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ablakwa summed up the visit as both symbolic and functional, stating that it “renew[s] the ideological and diplomatic connection between our two nations” and marks the beginning of a new chapter in strategic cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared prosperity.
