In a historic moment during his state visit to Ghana, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the nation’s prestigious civilian honor—the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana—by President John Dramani Mahama. The award was presented in recognition of Modi’s distinguished global leadership and contribution to strengthening ties with the Global South.
Accepting the honor, PM Modi dedicated it to 1.4 billion Indians, especially the youth, and India’s rich cultural diversity. He emphasized that this accolade reinforces the strong democratic and historical bonds between the two nations and comes with a renewed responsibility to expand bilateral cooperation.
During a joint address with President Mahama, Modi announced a series of initiatives aimed at deepening ties with Ghana. These include establishing a Skill Development Centre to enhance youth vocational training and doubling scholarships under ITEC and ICCR programs. He also pledged support for Ghana’s flagship ‘Feed Ghana’ program by enhancing agricultural cooperation.
In the healthcare sector, Modi proposed setting up Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Ghana to provide affordable and reliable healthcare solutions. He also expressed India’s interest in supporting vaccine production efforts within the country.
In the area of digital and financial collaboration, Modi revealed India’s intent to introduce Bharat UPI, the country’s homegrown digital payments platform, to Ghana, aiming to enhance financial inclusivity. He also stated that bilateral trade between the two nations is expected to double within five years.
President Mahama praised the visit, highlighting the legacy of friendship established by former leaders Kwame Nkrumah and Jawaharlal Nehru. He called the visit a symbol of deep-rooted diplomatic ties and a stepping stone toward shared prosperity.
This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over three decades, making it a diplomatic milestone that reflects India’s strategic engagement with Africa and the Global South.
