The Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is set to receive Ghana’s highest state honour, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana, during his state visit which commences tomorrow.

Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today (July 1), ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that the Indian leader would be conferred with the honour by President John Dramani Mahama at a state banquet.

Prime Minister Modi’s conferment with the State’s highest honour will see him join an illustrious list of global leaders who have been similarly recognised.

Former recipients include former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, former French President Jacques Chirac, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Namibian President Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma.

The Indian Prime Minister’s visit, the first by an Indian leader in 30 years, forms part of efforts to deepen the bilateral relations between Ghana and India, which have been maintained over six decades of fraternal ties.

Mr Ablakwa indicated that the Indian Prime Minister is also expected to address Parliament on Thursday, July 3, at 10 a.m., marking a historic moment in Ghana’s diplomatic calendar. Before his parliamentary address, Prime Minister Modi will meet with the Indian community in Ghana and pay his respects at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, highlighting the enduring bond of friendship between India and Ghana.

Bilateral engagement

Mr Ablakwa said the two leaders would hold bilateral talks and sign several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering mutually beneficial sectors.

“The talks, as has been agreed, will focus on agriculture, health, defence cooperation, and the establishment of a joint commission. We will also hold talks on Ghana becoming the vaccine hub for Africa.

“The Indian government has pledged full support for Ghana's ambition in that regard. After the bilateral talks, there will be a signing ceremony, and we expect a number of agreements to be concluded.

“The agreements will include an MoU on the establishment of a joint commission and another between the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the University of Ghana, among others,” he stated.

Trade relations

Mr Ablakwa emphasised the country’s long-standing relationship with India, dating back to 1953 when India established a consulate in Ghana—four years before Ghana attained independence in 1957.

He described the relationship between the two countries as “a special bond of friendship” that began with Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted the roles Nkrumah and Nehru played in shaping global politics during the Cold War era.

“Together, they conceived the idea of non-alignment—a movement that aimed to promote peace and cooperation among nations without taking sides in the rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. This initiative has been widely recognised as a significant contribution to global peace and stability,” he said.

He added that the two countries continue to enjoy warm and friendly relations, built on shared values and a common vision.

“The two countries have collaborated in various areas, including education, healthcare, and economic development. India has provided significant assistance to Ghana, including scholarships, training programmes, and infrastructure development projects,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa noted that Ghana and India have developed a strong trade relationship, with current trade volumes standing at $3 billion; down from a pre-COVID peak of $4.5 billion. He added that Ghana maintains a positive trade balance with India, with gold being a major commodity driving the partnership.

He emphasised that the visit is expected to further cement the relationship between Ghana and India, with both countries aiming to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.