Ghana-India ink multiple MOUs to boost bilateral cooperation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s makes historic visit to Ghana, the first in 30 years since the visit by H.E PV Narashima Rao in November 1995.

The visit is seen as a testament to the deep-rooted historical ties between Ghana and India, founded on the visionary leadership of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s Prime Minister, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru.

The visit is significant as it is the first leg of Prime Minister Modi’s five-nation tour, which concludes at the BRICS summit in Brazil.

Addressing the press this evening after the bilateral discussions at the Presidency, H.E John Dramani Mahama mentioned that, the discussions between the two countries have focused on deepening cooperation across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, development, human resources, and health.

“The two sides have engaged in significant discussions to deepen cooperation across various sectors of our economy, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, development, human resources and health, amongst others,” President Mahama stated.

President Mahama mentioned that several MOUs have been signed between Ghana and India to enhance cooperation, including a permanent joint commission and an MOU between the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana.

“On the strength of the successful engagements we have had a number of Memoranda of Understanding have been signed between Ghana and India to give impetus to our commitment and aspirations for sustained and enhanced cooperation. And these include the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a permanent joint commission between our two countries, the memorandum of understanding between the Institute of traditional and alternative medicine and the University of Health and allied sciences in Ghana and the Institute of Teaching and Research,” He said.

“We’ve also signed an MOU on cultural exchange between our two countries, and also an MOU between the Bureau of India standards and the Ghana Standards Authority.” President Mahama revealed.

He reiterated that, consultations between the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Indian High Commissioner have led to requests for MOUs on vaccine manufacture and production, agricultural machinery supply, and defense cooperation.

“Following consultations between our honorable minister of foreign affairs and the Indian High Commissioner, we also have requested the signing of MOUs on vaccine manufacture and production, MOU on supply of agricultural machinery and implements and an MOU on defense cooperation.” He emphasized.

The visit is timely as Ghana is undergoing economic restructuring and aims to leverage its relationship with India to achieve its objectives.

Economic and Investment Relations:

President Mahama said both countries are committed to deepening economic and investment relations, especially during Ghana’s economic restructuring due to debt treatments and the IMF programme.

President underscored , Ghana and India intend to pursue these engagements through diplomatic mechanisms, including foreign office consultations and the permanent joint commission for cooperation.

President indicated that, the intended outcomes of the engagement will be for mutual benefit, with the Prime Minister being decorated with the prestigious National Award of the Office of the Order of the Star of Ghana at the state banquet.

“Both countries will work to deepen economic and investment relations at a time that Ghana is undergoing economic restructuring due to the debt treatments we’re undergoing and the IMF program. Going forward, Ghana and India intend to pursue these engagements through diplomatic mechanisms, including foreign office consultations with each Other, as well as the permanent joint commission for cooperation to give effect to the intended outcomes of our engagement for mutual benefit, our esteemed guest Prime Minister will be decorated with the prestigious National Award of the Office of the order of the star of Ghana at the state banquet.” President Mahama asserted.

On Thursday, 3rd July, the Prime Minister will visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a landmark reflecting India’s advocacy for freedom and support for Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle. The memorial park also symbolizes India’s solidarity for South-South cooperation.

According to the President, ahead of his scheduled departure, Ghana’s parliament will be honored to listen to an address from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“As the world’s largest democracy, India’s Prime Minister’s address to the parliament is a significant event,” President Mahama.