External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held comprehensive discussions with Ghanaian leaders in Accra on Tuesday, focusing on multilateral cooperation, bilateral trade, and deepening India’s engagement with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The visit marks the first stop on Jaishankar’s three-nation tour of African countries, which will also include visits to Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia to review close bilateral ties and regional issues of mutual interest.
High-Level Engagements in Accra
During his visit, Jaishankar called on Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, conveying warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders reviewed the momentum in bilateral relations following PM Modi’s landmark state visit to Ghana in July 2025, when ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership.
”As Global South partners, both India and Ghana share common development aspirations and historic solidarity,” Jaishankar posted on X following delegation-level talks with his Ghanaian counterpart, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The discussions spanned key sectors including trade, investments, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, defense, capacity building, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Key MoUs and Environmental Initiatives
In the presence of both foreign ministers, India and Ghana exchanged two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
- Zoological Research & Academia: An agreement between the Zoological Survey of India and the University of Ghana for scientific research and capacity building.
- Agricultural Development: An MoU between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the CSIR-Crops Research Institute of Ghana for joint agricultural research and education.
Underscoring a shared commitment to environmental sustainability, Jaishankar also joined Minister Ablakwa and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to plant a Plumeria sapling, symbolizing synergy between India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and Ghana’s ‘Tree for Life’ initiative.
