Accra: As the first step in External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's three-nation Africa tour, India and Ghana discussed multilateral cooperation and Delhi's deepening engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). The discussions took place as Jaishankar met his Ghanaian counterpart Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Jaishankar, who arrived in Ghana on Tuesday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to African countries to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties, also met with Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama and discussed the strong momentum in bilateral ties.
Jaishankar said that he held wide-ranging discussions with his Ghanaian counterpart Ablakwa.
"As Global South partners, both India and Ghana share common development aspirations and historic solidarity," he posted on X after the meeting on Tuesday.
The two ministers discussed advancing comprehensive partnership in trade, investments, development, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people-to-people domains.
"Also spoke about advancing our multilateral cooperation and deepening India’s engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS," Jaishankar said.
Held wide ranging discussions with Foreign Minister @S_OkudzetoAblak of Ghana. As Global South partners, both India and Ghana share common development aspirations and historic solidarity. Discussed advancing our Comprehensive Partnership in trade, investments, development, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people to people domains. Also spoke about advancing our multilateral cooperation and deepening India’s engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS. 🇮🇳 🇬🇭
Ghana is a founding member of ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc dedicated to economic, social, and political integration across West Africa.
Ghanaian President Mahama will assume the presidency of the African Union in 2027.
"Ghana and India are now high-grade strategic partners with our bilateral relations having been elevated to Comprehensive Partnership last year during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Ablakwa posted on X.
Today, I graciously welcomed the highly esteemed and great friend of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India to our dear country.Dr. Jaishankar is here on a 2-day official visit at my invitation.Ghana and India are now high grade strategic partners with our bilateral relations having been elevated to Comprehensive Partnership last year during the state visit of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. I am looking forward to our positive engagements and impactful deals. For God and Country 🇬🇭 🙏🏾
The two countries exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Zoological Survey of India and the University of Ghana for cooperation in academics, scientific research, and capacity building.
An MoU between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana for cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education was also exchanged in the presence of the two ministers.
Taking forward our South-South cooperation, witnessed alongside Ghana FM @S_OkudzetoAblak, the exchange of :➡️ MoU between the Zoological Survey of India, and the University of Ghana for cooperation in academics, scientific research, and capacity building. ➡️ MoU between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana for cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education. 🇮🇳 🇬🇭@moefcc @AgriGoI @icarindia @ZoologicalI
Earlier, Jaishankar met President Mahama and discussed the strong momentum in India-Ghana ties.
The EAM said he appreciated President Mahama's vision for Ghana's development and his positive outlook on deepening the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries across diverse domains."Appreciate President Mahama’s vision for Ghana’s development, as well as his positive outlook on deepening our Comprehensive Partnership across diverse domains," the post added.
"An honour to call on President John Dramani Mahama @JDMahama of Ghana this afternoon. Conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
Jaishankar also joined his Ghanaian counterpart and education minister Haruna Iddrisu in planting a Plumeria sapling as a tribute to ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and Ghana’s ‘Tree for Life’ initiative.
"A symbol of our commitment to sustainable development," the EAM said.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, 2024, on the occasion of World Environment Day. The initiative combines environmental responsibility with a tribute to mothers, encouraging people to plant a tree in their mother’s name.
Prime Minister Modi visited Ghana in July 2025. That was the Prime Minister’s first-ever bilateral visit to Ghana. It was also the first prime ministerial visit from India to Ghana in three decades.
From Ghana, Jaishankar will travel to Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia.
During his visit, Jaishankar will hold bilateral talks with his counterparts and meet with the leadership of all three nations to review close bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation. He will also exchange perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual interest.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI)