Accra, Ghana – In a historic moment for India-Ghana relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ghana’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, during an official ceremony held in the capital city, Accra. The award was presented by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, marking a significant milestone in bilateral ties and diplomatic cooperation.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in the past three decades, making the occasion even more momentous. The honour was bestowed upon PM Modi in recognition of his outstanding statesmanship and impactful global leadership, as acknowledged by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
PM Modi Expresses Gratitude
In his acceptance speech, PM Modi expressed deep gratitude to the people and Government of Ghana.
“It is a matter of great pride and honour to receive Ghana’s highest civilian award. I humbly accept it on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India,” he said.
“I dedicate this honour to the aspirations of our youth, the bright future they represent, our rich cultural heritage, and the enduring historical ties between India and Ghana,” he added.
He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Ghana, stating that India would continue to be a trusted partner and fellow traveller in Ghana’s nation-building journey.
Strengthening Bilateral Partnership
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Mahama, during which both leaders agreed to deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations. As a result of the discussions, four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Indian and Ghanaian officials, encompassing areas such as trade, development, technology, and cooperation.
Speaking on the agreements, PM Modi said:
“President Mahama and I have decided to significantly expand the scope of India-Ghana bilateral cooperation. We aim to double our trade in the next five years and work closely on various sectors critical to both our nations.”
Shared Concerns and Global Message
Addressing global concerns, PM Modi remarked that both India and Ghana share serious concerns over the prevailing situations in West Asia and Europe.
“This is not an era of war. Solutions must be found through dialogue and diplomacy,” he emphasized.
PM Modi also called for collective global action against terrorism, describing it as a shared enemy of humanity.
India’s Broader Africa and Global South Engagement
PM Modi’s visit to Ghana is part of his larger diplomatic tour covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, from July 1 to July 9.
On July 6–7, he will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, where discussions are expected to strengthen cooperation with nations of the Global South and explore joint initiatives in development and sustainability.
A Testament to India-Ghana Friendship
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the news on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing the honour as a testament to the long-standing and deep-rooted relationship between India and Ghana.
“India is not just a development partner but a co-traveller in Ghana’s journey of progress,” PM Modi said, highlighting mutual respect and solidarity as the pillars of this enduring friendship.
