Ghana's strategic significance for India: A partnership beyond borders

India Today

3 hours ago

This historic visit—the first bilateral Prime Ministerial visit from India to Ghana in three decades—underscores Ghana's growing significance for India's foreign policy objectives and economic ambitions. As India consolidates its position as a voice of the Global South and seeks to deepen its engagement with Africa, Ghana emerges as a crucial partner that offers strategic, economic, and diplomatic advantages. advertisementHistorical foundations of an enduring partnership
The India-Ghana relationship is built on solid historical foundations that predate Ghana's independence. India's commitment to Ghana's freedom struggle was evident when New Delhi championed Ghana's cause at the United Nations even before the West African nation achieved independence in 1957. This early support established a precedent of solidarity that continues to define bilateral relations today.India's diplomatic presence in Ghana began in 1953 with the establishment of a representative office in Accra, four years before Ghana's independence. Full diplomatic relations were formalised immediately after Ghana's independence, reflecting India's recognition of Ghana as a significant partner in the newly decolonised world. This seven-decade relationship has evolved from anti-colonial solidarity to a multifaceted partnership encompassing trade, investment, development cooperation, and strategic collaboration.Economic imperatives and trade dynamicsadvertisementGhana's economic significance for India cannot be overstated. With bilateral trade currently valued at approximately $3 billion, Ghana represents one of India's most important trading partners in West Africa. The economic relationship is characterised by complementary strengths: Ghana's rich natural resources, particularly gold which accounts for over 70 percent of India's imports from the country, meet India's growing industrial and jewelry market demands.Ghana's position as Africa's top gold-producing nation and its emergence as the continent's eighth-largest oil producer make it an attractive partner for India's energy security and resource diversification strategies. Beyond traditional commodities, Ghana's economic transformation presents opportunities for Indian businesses across multiple sectors including agriculture, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure development.The timing of Modi's visit is particularly significant as it coincides with Ghana's deep economic restructuring under President John Dramani Mahama's new administration. This presents India with opportunities to participate in Ghana's economic modernisation while expanding its own commercial footprint in West Africa. The focus on agriculture during the upcoming visit aligns with both countries' priorities—India's expertise in agricultural technology and Ghana's need to enhance food security and rural livelihoods.Strategic geographic and regional importanceGhana's strategic location in coastal West Africa positions it as India's gateway to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the broader African Union. In a region experiencing significant political instability, Ghana stands out as a beacon of democratic governance and peaceful transitions of power. Since 1996, Ghana has conducted eight consecutive free and fair elections with peaceful transfers of power—a remarkable achievement in a region plagued by military coups and political upheavals.advertisementThis democratic stability makes Ghana an ideal partner for India's African engagement strategy. Ghana's role as a reliable democratic anchor in West Africa aligns with India's vision of supporting democratic institutions and governance frameworks across the Global South. The country's consistent pursuit of policies promoting private-sector growth and foreign investment creates an enabling environment for Indian businesses and investments.Defence and security cooperationGhana's significance extends to the security domain, where cooperation assumes critical importance given the evolving threat landscape in West Africa. Ghana's position as a key contributor to African peacekeeping missions and its regular participation in joint military training exercises demonstrate its commitment to regional security. For India, partnering with Ghana on defence cooperation offers opportunities to expand its defence exports and security partnerships in Africa.The emerging threat of violent extremist organisations operating in the Sahel region, with Ghana's neighbors—Burkina Faso, Togo, and Cte d'Ivoire—experiencing extremist attacks, makes Ghana's security partnership valuable for India's broader African security engagement. Ghana's comprehensive National Counterterrorism Framework and its leadership role in the Accra Initiative for regional security cooperation position it as a strategic partner for India's security interests in West Africa.advertisementDevelopment partnership and technical cooperationIndia's development partnership with Ghana reflects its commitment to South-South cooperation. Through concessional Lines of Credit and grants totaling approximately $450 million, India has supported various development projects in Ghana, demonstrating its role as a reliable development partner. This assistance spans infrastructure development, capacity building, and technical cooperation across multiple sectors.The upcoming visit's focus on vaccine development and creating a vaccine hub in Ghana for West Africa represents a new dimension of cooperation. This aligns with India's pharmaceutical strengths and its vision of becoming a global hub for affordable healthcare solutions. Such partnerships enhance India's soft power and demonstrate its commitment to addressing Africa's developmental challenges.Digital infrastructure and technology cooperationGhana's interest in digital public infrastructure highlights the potential for future technology cooperation. India's success in digital transformation, exemplified by initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI, offers valuable lessons and solutions for Ghana's digitisation efforts. This cooperation can extend to areas such as e-governance, financial inclusion, and digital identity systems, areas where India has demonstrated global leadership.advertisementDiaspora connections and people-to-people tiesThe presence of over 15,000 Indians in Ghana, many of whom have been in the country for over 70 years with some families now in their fourth generation, creates strong people-to-people connections. This established Indian community serves as a bridge between the two countries, facilitating business relationships, cultural exchanges, and deeper understanding between the peoples of both nations.As Prime Minister Modi embarks on this historic visit, the partnership between India and Ghana is poised to enter a new phase characterised by deeper economic integration, enhanced security cooperation, and expanded technological collaboration. For India, Ghana represents not just a bilateral partner but a strategic gateway to West Africa and a crucial ally in building a multipolar world order that reflects the aspirations of the Global South. Ghana's significance for India, therefore, lies in its potential to be a cornerstone of India's African engagement and a testament to the enduring power of South-South cooperation. - Ends