By Makiza Micheline Latifa
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, for a two-day state visit that promises to significantly deepen relations between Accra and New Delhi. This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 30 years, and is widely regarded by both governments as a defining, consequential moment in the history of Ghana–India relations.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is expected to rekindle the spirit of South–South cooperation and solidarity that was championed by Ghana’s founding president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, during the early years of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
“This is not just a diplomatic formality, it is a historic affirmation of the values our two nations have shared for over six decades,” remarked Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ahead of the visit.
According to him, it reflects the importance of partnerships rooted in equality, mutual benefit, and shared aspirations for peace, progress, and prosperity.
Official Reception and Guard of Honour
Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi will be formally received by President John Dramani Mahama, accompanied by senior government officials and members of the diplomatic corps. A Guard of Honour will be mounted in his honour, underscoring the significance Ghana places on this rare high-level diplomatic engagement.
High-Level Bilateral Engagements and MoU Signings
The visit’s core diplomatic activities will commence with one-on-one talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Mahama at the Presidency. The private session will be followed by expanded bilateral talks involving key ministers and senior officials from both sides.
Key areas to be discussed include:
• Agriculture modernization and food security
• Healthcare partnerships, with particular emphasis on Ghana’s ambition to become a regional vaccine production hub
• Defense cooperation and security coordination
• The establishment of a permanent Ghana–India Joint Commission to streamline and strengthen bilateral engagements
The talks are expected to culminate in the signing of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering:
• The Joint Commission framework
• Institutional partnerships in teaching and research
• A formalized cultural exchange programme
• Strengthened collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority
• A strategic MoU supporting the establishment of the much-anticipated vaccine manufacturing hub in Ghana
According to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, India has played a pivotal role in global vaccine diplomacy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Their support for Ghana’s bid to become a vaccine hub is both a practical and symbolic endorsement of Africa’s capacity for health innovation” he said.
A Nod to History: The Non-Aligned Legacy
The visit also carries immense symbolic importance, invoking the legacy of the Non-Aligned Movement, where Nkrumah and Nehru stood as prominent voices for decolonized nations advocating global peace and development.
“This visit renews the ideological and diplomatic connection between our two nations, a relationship originally founded on shared values of sovereignty, peace, and solidarity,” Ablakwa stated.
Parliamentary Address and State Honours
On Wednesday, July 3, Prime Minister Modi will deliver a landmark address to the Parliament of Ghana. The address will underscore themes of partnership, global equity, and South–South cooperation.
In recognition of his leadership and contribution to global diplomacy and development, Prime Minister Modi will be conferred with Ghana’s highest national honour for foreign dignitaries, “The Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana”.
Community Engagement and Cultural Diplomacy
The visit will also see Prime Minister Modi engage with members of Ghana’s Indian community, estimated at over 15,000 people, many of whom have contributed significantly to Ghana’s commerce, health, and education sectors.
He is further expected to pay homage at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a site rich in Ghana’s history and symbolic of the long-standing bonds between the two nations.
Economic Ties on the Rise
Ghana–India trade volumes are witnessing a steady rise, currently moving from US$3 billion to a projected US$4.5 billion, driven by increased cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ICT, agriculture, energy, and mining.
“Our economic relations are no longer transactional; they are strategic and developmental, this visit will no doubt open new pathways for joint investments in critical sectors, especially agriculture and healthcare”, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed.
A Defining Moment for Ghana–India Relations
This landmark visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely viewed as a turning point in Ghana–India relations, one expected to usher in a new era of strategic cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared prosperity.
With a packed schedule of high-level meetings, cultural engagements, and symbolic gestures, the visit promises to both celebrate a cherished historical partnership and lay the groundwork for future collaboration in addressing Africa’s development priorities.