PM Modi’s historic Ghana visit: UPI push, 4 MoUs inked, new frontiers in defence, and minerals explored | A look

By Admin

03 Jul, 2025

In a landmark moment for India-Africa relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana has emerged as a historic step in deepening bilateral ties between the two democratic nations. Marking the first Indian prime ministerial visit to Ghana in over three decades, the meeting between PM Modi and Ghanaian President John Mahama laid the groundwork for an ambitious new chapter in India-Ghana cooperation.

Upgraded to a Comprehensive Partnership

During their bilateral meeting in Accra, the two leaders elevated the India-Ghana relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, underscoring their commitment to expanding collaboration across strategic sectors. From defence and energy to cultural exchanges and digital transformation, the visit has paved the way for multi-dimensional growth.

Four MoUs Signed: Culture, Health, Standards, Dialogue

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), covering:

1. Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) – Promoting mutual understanding through art, music, dance, literature, and heritage.
   
   

2. Traditional Medicine – A collaborative effort between Ghana’s Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) and India’s Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) to bolster research, education, and expert training.
   
   

3. Standardisation and Certification – Signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the MoU aims to enhance cooperation in quality standards and assessments.
   
   

4. Joint Commission Meeting – Institutionalising high-level dialogue to ensure consistent review and progress in bilateral cooperation.
   
   

Defence, Security, and Strategic Interests

PM Modi highlighted the mutual resolve to address global and regional security concerns. Both nations agreed to deepen cooperation in defence training, maritime security, cyber defence, and counter-terrorism, following the principle of “security through solidarity.” The leaders also shared concerns over global conflicts and stressed the importance of diplomacy and dialogue.

Critical Minerals and Economic Expansion

With Ghana being rich in natural resources, the visit also opened doors for collaboration in exploration and mining of critical minerals. This aligns with India's goal of securing sustainable and diversified sources for minerals vital to modern technologies.

India’s economic footprint in Ghana is already significant, with investments in nearly 900 projects totaling around $2 billion. PM Modi has now set an ambitious target: doubling bilateral trade in the next five years.

UPI Digital Payment Push

In a notable push for FinTech cooperation, PM Modi offered to share India’s expertise in Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a revolutionary digital payment system. This could empower Ghana’s financial infrastructure and promote inclusive financial services.

Support for Agriculture and Pharma

Responding to Ghana's request for support in agriculture, PM Modi committed India’s assistance in developing Ghana as a food basket to ensure food security. Additionally, discussions on turning Ghana into a pharmaceutical and vaccine hub were held, with President Mahama expressing interest in leveraging India's advanced capabilities in this field.

Cultural and Global South Cooperation

Both nations emphasized the importance of people-to-people ties, education, and tourism. PM Modi’s visit reflects India’s broader commitment to Africa and the Global South, reaffirming solidarity and shared development goals.

Conclusion

PM Modi’s historic visit to Ghana has laid a solid foundation for transformative growth and mutual benefit. With deepened partnerships in critical minerals, digital finance, defence, agriculture, and healthcare, the India-Ghana alliance is poised to become a model for South-South cooperation.