Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Oppoku-Agyemang has assured the outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Shri Manish Gupta, of Ghana’s commitment to sustaining and deepening bilateral relations as he concludes his two-year diplomatic assignment.
At a farewell ceremony held at Jubilee House, the Vice President reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Ghana and India, describing it as one rooted in history, mutual respect and expanding economic cooperation. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1953, and ties strengthened further following Ghana’s independence in 1957.
“Our relationship has grown steadily, with robust bilateral trade, expanding business engagements, and increasing investment flows. Beyond commerce, the strong people-to-people connections in areas such as education, sports, and cultural exchange continue to serve as an important pillar of our partnership,” she stated.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has expanded significantly in recent years. Trade volumes has already exceeded US$5 billion in 2026 which reached approximately US$6 billion in 2025, reflecting India’s position as one of Ghana’s leading trading partners. India’s exports to Ghana include pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, rice and textiles, while Ghana’s exports are dominated by gold, cocoa and timber products.
India has also emerged as one of the top investors in Ghana. More than 900 Indian projects are currently operational across sectors including manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy and information technology. The Indian community in Ghana is estimated at approximately 15,000 nationals, contributing significantly to commerce, industry and professional services.
A defining moment during Ambassador Gupta’s tenure was the historic three-day State Visit to Ghana by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2025, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana since 1995. The visit elevated the comprehensive partnership between the two countries and signaled renewed strategic engagement at the highest political level.
The visit culminated in the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), covering a Cultural Exchange Programme to promote cooperation in arts, music, literature and heritage; collaboration between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to strengthen standardisation and certification systems; a partnership between Ghana’s Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) and India’s Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) to advance research and training in traditional medicine; and an agreement to institutionalise regular Joint Commission Meetings to review bilateral cooperation.
Diplomatic exchanges between the two countries have remained consistent over the decades. Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Ghana in June 2016, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao paid an official visit in November 1995, and Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit marked a renewed chapter in high-level engagement. On the Ghanaian side, every President under the Fourth Republic, with the exception of the late President Evans Atta Mills, has paid an official visit to India, underscoring the strategic depth of the relationship.
India’s development partnership with Ghana has also been significant. Through concessional financing and credit facilities extended by the Export-Import Bank of India (India EXIM Bank), several infrastructure and capacity-building projects have been executed. Notably, EXIM Bank financing supported the construction of the Jubilee House in 2008, which serves as Ghana’s seat of government.
As Ambassador Gupta concludes his tenure, both sides expressed confidence that the Ghana-India partnership, built on decades of diplomatic engagement, expanding trade, investment flows and strong people-to-people ties, will continue to strengthen in the years ahead.
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