Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for a week -long visit to five countries including Brazil and will reach the African country Ghana under his first stop. Prime Minister Modi will stay there on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of Ghana President John Droni Mahama. Let us tell you that this is Prime Minister Modi’s first bilateral visit. It will also be the first Ghana visit of a Prime Minister of India in three decades. The Prime Minister will also address Ghana’s Parliament. In a statement issued before leaving for the yatra, the Prime Minister said that “We are both democratic countries.” In such a situation, it will be a matter of respect for me to address Ghana in Parliament. ”
Let us tell you that there have been historical and friendly relations between India and Ghana. The two countries are working together towards democratic values, global South’s interests and economic development after gaining independence from colonialism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ghana visit is a sign of taking this bilateral relationship to a new height.
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A look at India-Ghana relations
Let us tell you that relations between India and Ghana started in 1957 with the independence of Ghana. India was the first country to recognize the freedom of Ghana. The founding leaders of the two countries- Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Quame Encrms had deep ideological and political relations. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Ghana and efforts to propagate African culture in India is evidence of this cultural proximity.
Talking about the current bilateral cooperation, let us tell you that India is one of the top trade partners of Ghana. Products imported from India include medicines, vehicles, machinery, textile and food processing equipment. In addition, India has invested in solar energy, rural electrification and water management projects in Ghana. At the same time, Bharat provides ICCR scholarships to Ghana under technical cooperation. Many Ghani students are studying in universities in India. In addition, cooperation in the field of defense training, joint exercise and capacity building between the two countries is also going on.
China is infiltrating Ghana
It is believed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ghana visit will strengthen India’s ‘ACT Africa’ policy. Certainly, this journey will not only be formal, but from strategic, economic and cultural perspective. If we discuss about the benefits of India from the Prime Minister’s visit to Ghana, then let us tell you that this can strengthen its role by establishing deep relations with democratic countries like Ghana amidst China’s growing influence in Africa. Let us tell you that the role of China in the continent of Africa is getting stronger day by day and Ghana has emerged as a major partner country in it. Political, economic, infrastructure and cultural cooperation has increased unprecedented in the last two decades between China and Ghana. Let us tell you that under the “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) initiative, China has sponsored many important projects in Ghana such as Bui Dam, Tamale International Airport, and Eastern Rail Line Project. Ghana’s bauxite and gold mineral wealth has a keen interest in China. The two countries have signed an important agreement in which China was allowed to excavate bauxite resources and in return China will develop infrastructure in Ghana. Let us tell you that countries like China Ghana are making part of their global impact through “soft power” and economic investment. Although China’s investment has developed in Ghana, but the increasing weight of Chinese debt is a matter of concern for Ghana. Let us also tell you that China is spreading rapidly in Ghana than in America and European countries, which is increasing geopolitical competition, so Prime Minister Modi considered it necessary to visit this country.
India’s more benefit from the Prime Minister’s visit to Ghana will be that the trade agreements to be enabled during this period will benefit the economies of both countries. At the same time, India’s investment in renewable energy in Ghana is also expected to be promoted. Apart from this, cultural exchange through yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood and Indian food will also be encouraged. Not only this, Indians and businessmen living in Ghana have boosted morale from Modi’s visit and they hope that it will help in solving their problems.
However, the Indo-Ghana relationship is not only bilateral, but also a symbol of the common interests of Global South. Prime Minister Modi’s visit will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, which will make India’s role more influential in Africa. This journey will not only expand the Africa policy of India, but will also decide a new direction for inclusive global development.