Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received an enthusiastic welcome from members of the Indian community in Accra, marking the start of his landmark visit to Ghana — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.
Shortly after landing in the West African nation, PM Modi was greeted by hundreds of Indians and locals at a hotel in Accra. The crowd chanted “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” as the Prime Minister interacted with the diaspora and held a child in his arms, drawing loud applause.
Local artists played an instrumental version of ‘Jai Ho’ using traditional drums and instruments, while another group joined Indian families in chanting “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama”, which PM Modi acknowledged with applause.
Ghana is home to a thriving Indian community of over 15,000, including fourth-generation families who have lived in the country for more than 70 years. Many have acquired Ghanaian citizenship, while others work with multinational companies and local businesses. The community is served by Hindu temples, a Gurudwara, an ISKCON temple largely run by Ghanaians, and an Art of Living centre.
Earlier, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama received PM Modi at Kotoka International Airport in a special gesture underlining the significance of the visit. The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport before the two leaders held brief discussions at the Jubilee Lounge.
“Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and ECOWAS. I look forward to exchanges that will deepen our historical ties and open new avenues of cooperation in investment, energy, health, security, capacity building and development partnership. As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to address Ghana’s Parliament,” PM Modi said before departing New Delhi.
Ghana is the first stop on PM Modi’s five-nation tour, which will also cover Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Delegation-level talks are scheduled in Accra later on Wednesday, during which the two sides will review bilateral ties and explore ways to expand cooperation. The Prime Minister will also hold one-on-one talks with President Mahama, followed by a banquet in his honour.
On Thursday, PM Modi will address Ghana’s Parliament and interact again with the Indian community.
Briefing reporters ahead of the visit, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said the timing of the visit — early in President Mahama’s term after his landslide election win in January — would help both sides build continuity and deepen ties.
India and Ghana share longstanding ties dating back to Ghana’s independence in 1957. “We supported Ghana’s cause at the UN much before its independence, and the relationship has evolved into a multi-faceted partnership,” Ravi said.
Economic cooperation is expected to dominate the talks, with Ghana seeking to attract investments and strengthen ties as it undergoes economic restructuring. Bilateral trade stands at around \$3 billion, largely due to India’s gold imports. Indian investments in Ghana are estimated at $2 billion, split between the private sector and government lines of credit.
The two sides are also expected to discuss defence cooperation, critical minerals, digital public infrastructure and plans to develop a vaccine hub for West Africa.
The visit, the MEA said, reaffirms India’s commitment to deepen ties with Ghana and strengthen its engagement with ECOWAS and the African Union.
IANS
from National https://ift.tt/yleRGOF