Ghana and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their longstanding bilateral relations
Story by: Regina Bless
Ghana and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their longstanding bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key strategic sectors following the first official visit to Ghana by India’s External Affairs Minister, His Excellency Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the elevation of Ghana-India relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, reflecting the depth of the historical relationship and the growing scope of cooperation between the two countries.
Welcoming Dr. Jaishankar to Ghana, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the visit as historic and said the strengthened partnership demonstrated the enduring and practical nature of Ghana-India relations.
According to the Minister, the relationship had moved beyond diplomatic exchanges to produce tangible development projects, including the Jubilee House, the Kofi Annan ICT Centre and the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project.
Hon. Ablakwa said Ghana was ready to leverage the Comprehensive Partnership to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Dr. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the warm reception and described his first visit to Ghana as a great pleasure. He said the visit was intended, among other things, to follow up on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Ghana and strengthen the newly established Comprehensive Partnership.
He noted that Ghana and India had historically been strong advocates for the Global South and shared commitments to independence, self-reliance, dignity and strategic autonomy.
The two sides identified several areas for enhanced cooperation, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, mining, defence, railway development, digital transformation, science and technology, renewable energy and skills development.
Dr. Jaishankar highlighted similarities between Ghana’s Accra Reset, Feed Ghana and One Million Coders initiatives and India’s programmes in health, food security, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, noting that these shared priorities offered opportunities for both countries to exchange knowledge, expertise and experience.
Two MoUs signed
A major outcome of the visit was the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The first is an MoU on Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Ghana’s CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI).
The agreement provides a framework for collaboration, including the exchange of scientists and technologists, scientific information and materials, as well as joint research and training.
The second MoU focuses on cooperation in the field of biodiversity, further strengthening collaboration between Ghana and India on environmental and sustainability-related issues.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation between Ghana’s Foreign Service Institute and its Indian counterpart to support diplomatic training, exchange perspectives and share experiences on common diplomatic and multilateral priorities.
Defence and railway cooperation
Ghana also expressed its intention to conclude a defence cooperation agreement with India. Hon. Ablakwa indicated that the agreement was expected to be signed during his reciprocal visit to India early next year.
Railway development was also identified as an important area for expanded cooperation. Hon. Ablakwa noted that the operationalisation of the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project provided a foundation for further collaboration as Ghana seeks to expand its railway network.
He said stronger railway infrastructure would help reduce pressure on Ghana’s roads, facilitate the movement of heavy cargo and contribute to addressing traffic congestion.
Ghana formally seeks BRICS membership
Another significant development was Ghana’s decision to formally apply to join BRICS.
Hon. Ablakwa explained that the decision, approved by Cabinet, forms part of Government’s broader strategy to diversify Ghana’s international partnerships, expand economic opportunities and strengthen cooperation within the Global South.
He stressed that Ghana’s proposed membership would complement, rather than replace, the country’s existing relationships with traditional development and financial partners.
The Minister also noted that India’s position as a founding member of BRICS made it an important partner in Ghana’s bid and said Ghana had formally sought India’s assistance.
Dr. Jaishankar said India had historically been sympathetic and supportive of Ghana’s aspirations, while noting that Ghana’s application would ultimately be considered collectively by BRICS members.
Health, ICT and development cooperation
The two countries further discussed cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare under President John Dramani Mahama’s health sovereignty agenda.
Ghana expressed interest in establishing a pharmaceutical hub to strengthen domestic production, healthcare resilience and access to essential medicines.
ICT cooperation was also highlighted, particularly in support of the Government’s One Million Coders programme. Discussions built on the foundation provided by the Kofi Annan ICT Centre and India’s extensive experience in digital technology and skills development.
Dr. Jaishankar also welcomed Ghana’s role in continental and multilateral affairs, including its engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS, and expressed India’s readiness to work closely with Ghana on issues of common interest within the Commonwealth and the United Nations.
He further commended Ghana’s commitment to the reparatory justice agenda and restitution of cultural properties, while calling for stronger cooperation on the Sustainable Development Goals and reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council.
Symbol of friendship
As part of the official engagements, Dr. Jaishankar and Ghanaian officials participated in a tree-planting activity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The activity symbolised the enduring friendship between Ghana and India and reflected the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible development.
The official programme concluded with a lecture delivered by Dr. Jaishankar to diplomats and officials of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Foreign Service Institute.
The lecture provided an opportunity for Ghanaian diplomats to engage with the Indian External Affairs Minister on contemporary international affairs, cooperation among countries of the Global South, strategic autonomy and the changing international order.
The visit has provided renewed momentum to Ghana-India relations, with both countries expressing their commitment to using the Comprehensive Partnership to deepen cooperation and translate their longstanding friendship into tangible benefits for their respective peoples.