Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Ghana, one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies, will be driven by a strong economic focus, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.
Ghana will be the first destination in PM Modi’s five-nation tour, which begins on July 2 and includes Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The visit marks a historic milestone as it will be PM Modi’s first-ever bilateral trip to Ghana and the first prime ministerial visit from India to the country in over 30 years.
According to MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, the two-day visit (July 2–3) will include a ceremonial welcome, followed by delegation-level discussions to review the state of bilateral relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi will also hold a one-on-one meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart.
“In the evening, a banquet dinner will be hosted in honor of the Prime Minister. On the following day, PM Modi will address the Ghanaian Parliament and meet with members of the Indian community, which numbers around 15,000,” Ravi informed journalists during a media briefing.
This visit holds strategic importance as it comes early in the tenure of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who took office in January after a decisive electoral victory. PM Modi’s trip underlines India’s continued efforts to cement its role as a leading voice for the Global South and its emergence as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ (universal friend) in a fragmented global landscape.
India has, over the past decade, consistently reinforced its ties with African nations, with PM Modi reiterating New Delhi’s deep-rooted commitment to the continent. The relationship between India and Ghana, in particular, has grown significantly more comprehensive over the last seven decades.
“Our support for Ghana’s independence was expressed at the United Nations long before the country formally attained independence in 1957. India and Ghana have since maintained strong ties across multiple international forums on key issues relevant to the Global South,” the MEA Secretary noted.
With Ghana undergoing a significant economic restructuring process, the upcoming discussions are expected to prioritize enhancing economic cooperation. Bilateral trade currently stands at approximately $3 billion, with gold imports making up over 70% of India’s total imports from Ghana.
“The key focus areas during the visit will include agriculture—where the Ghanaian President has shown interest in collaboration with India—vaccine development, and the establishment of a vaccine production hub in Ghana to serve not only its domestic needs but also those of West Africa,” Ravi explained.
Other critical items on the agenda will include defense cooperation, collaboration in the field of critical minerals, and the development of digital public infrastructure.
The MEA emphasized that PM Modi’s Ghana visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both nations to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening India’s engagement with regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
India-Ghana relations are deeply rooted in shared values and a common vision. India had opened its representative office in Accra in 1953—four years before Ghana’s independence—and formal diplomatic ties were established in 1957.
Today, the bilateral relationship is marked by a growing and dynamic trade and investment partnership. India ranks among Ghana’s top trading partners and is the largest market for Ghanaian exports.
India has also contributed to Ghana’s development through a mix of concessional Lines of Credit (LoC) and grants, amounting to about US$450 million, which have supported a variety of infrastructure and capacity-building projects.
The Indian diaspora in Ghana is a vital part of this relationship, with over 15,000 Indian nationals residing there. Some Indian families have been in Ghana for more than 70 years, with several now in their fourth generation and many having acquired Ghanaian citizenship.
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Ghana’s Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State for Government Communications, stated, “The Presidency of the Republic of Ghana is pleased to announce that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will undertake a two-day Official Visit to Ghana from Wednesday. The visit highlights the warm and longstanding friendly relations between Ghana and India, as well as the importance both nations place on strengthening their strategic partnership.”
According to the Ghanaian Presidency, the visit is expected to bolster bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and reinforce the enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Ghana.
“The leaders will engage in discussions aimed at deepening cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, and energy. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement concluded.
