Accra: In a historic development during his State Visit to Ghana, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was honoured with Ghana’s highest civilian award—Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana—by President H.E. Dr. John Dramani Mahama.
The prestigious honour, conferred in recognition of Prime Minister Modi’s exemplary global leadership and commitment to strengthening international partnerships, marked a significant milestone in India-Ghana relations.
Accepting the award on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the recognition to the aspirations of India’s youth, the country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, and the longstanding friendship between the people of India and Ghana.
In his remarks, he thanked the people and government of Ghana for the special gesture and reaffirmed that shared democratic values would continue to anchor bilateral ties. “This honour is not for me alone, but for every Indian striving for progress and peace,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the recognition brings with it a renewed responsibility to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in three decades, underscoring its strategic importance. Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by President Mahama upon his arrival at the Jubilee House, the seat of Ghana’s government. Their meeting began with restricted-level talks, followed by comprehensive discussions at the delegation level.
During the bilateral talks, the two leaders agreed to elevate the India-Ghana relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. They reiterated the historic and friendly ties between the two countries and charted out a roadmap for enhanced collaboration across a range of sectors.
These include trade and investment, agriculture, digital technology, infrastructure development, capacity building, and people-to-people engagement.
The leaders welcomed the increase in bilateral trade and noted the rising interest of Indian investors in Ghana. They emphasized the importance of continued development cooperation and pledged to boost joint projects in infrastructure and capacity-building.
India expressed willingness to share its expertise in areas such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure—including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—and skill development.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s strong commitment to championing the concerns of the Global South and expressed gratitude for Ghana’s support in international forums. He also thanked President Mahama and the people of Ghana for the warmth and care extended to the Indian community of over 15,000 residing in the country.
On global matters, the leaders exchanged views on pressing international issues, including the urgent need for reform in the United Nations and strengthening global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Ghana’s support following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, India, and affirmed the shared resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, South-South cooperation, sustainable development, and the promotion of global peace.
Prime Minister Modi also extended congratulations to Ghana on its increasing influence on the world stage, including its current membership of the UN Human Rights Council and the recent appointment of Ghana’s Foreign Minister as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
As a tangible outcome of the visit, four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in the areas of Cultural Cooperation, Standardization, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine, and the establishment of a Joint Commission for regular engagement between the Foreign Ministries of both nations.
These agreements are expected to provide a framework for expanding collaboration and ensuring continuity in diplomatic engagements.
The official engagements concluded with a State Banquet hosted by President Mahama in honour of Prime Minister Modi. Expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to President Mahama to visit India at a mutually convenient date.
This landmark visit is set to usher in a new chapter in India-Ghana relations, building on the strong foundations of friendship, shared values, and mutual respect.
