The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Shri Surinder Bhagat, has assured Indian nationals in the country of the High Commission’s commitment to improving consular services and making them more responsive to their needs.
He gave the assurance at a ceremony held at his residence in Accra on August 15, 2026, to mark India’s 80th Independence Day, where he acknowledged the challenges some nationals face in accessing consular services and documentation, and pledged to strengthen the mission’s systems to improve efficiency and service delivery.
He noted that measures were being taken to address institutional bottlenecks, including delays and communication gaps, while improving the use of digital platforms to meet the growing demand for consular services.
“Whether it concerns passport, visa, OCI matters, birth or death certificate registration, attestation of documents, emergency travel documents, or assistance in any difficult situation, we are here to serve you,” he stated.
“I would particularly like to assure you that we will continue to work towards making our consular services more efficient, transparent, and responsive. We will endeavour to reduce delays, improve communication, and make better use of digital systems wherever possible,” he added.
Mr Bhagat urged Indian nationals to make use of the High Commission’s online platforms to facilitate applications and communication on consular matters, while ensuring that their personal and travel documentation remains valid and up to date.
He, however, stressed that effective consular support requires cooperation from both the mission and the community, urging nationals to provide complete and accurate information, follow established procedures and avoid practices that could complicate the processing of their requests.
The High Commissioner also addressed immigration and employment-related challenges confronting some Indian nationals in Ghana, assuring them that the mission remains prepared to engage the relevant Ghanaian authorities where necessary, particularly in cases involving exploitation, detention or other forms of vulnerability.
He cautioned nationals against circumventing established immigration and employment procedures, warning that reliance on unauthorised intermediaries and irregular recruitment schemes could expose them to exploitation and other risks.
Mr Bhagat cited the recent collaboration between the High Commission and the Ghana Maritime Authority that led to the rescue and repatriation of nine Indian seafarers who had been stranded for months at the Keta Anchorage.
He urged nationals to exercise greater caution when pursuing employment opportunities in Ghana, particularly in the maritime sector, and to verify recruitment arrangements before accepting employment.
“Disseminate information about complete and accurate documentation processes and follow prescribed procedures, especially when it comes to employment prospects here, and avoid relying on unauthorised intermediaries or illegal recruiting attempts,” he cautioned.
The latest intervention adds to previous efforts by the Indian High Commission and Ghanaian maritime authorities to assist Indian seafarers stranded in Ghanaian waters.
Between 2017 and 2019, at least 16 Indian seafarers were reportedly stranded in Ghanaian territorial waters and were subsequently rescued or repatriated through interventions involving the Indian High Commission, Ghanaian authorities and maritime partners.
In one such operation in 2019, five Indian crew members stranded at the Port of Takoradi were repatriated following sustained diplomatic intervention by the High Commission.
The 80th Independence Day celebration was held under the theme “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”, placing the contribution of India’s youth at the centre of the country’s long-term ambition to become a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence.
The commemoration also coincides with the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song that played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle and which, for the first time, was rendered as part of the Independence Day ceremony at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
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