On October 6, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama welcomed India’s Minister for External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to the Presidency in Ghana. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment between Ghana and India. Key areas of discussion included Ghana’s rail sector and pharmaceutical industry. The two leaders also touched on the growing demand for a new world order that opposes unilateralism and the abuse of nations.
President Mahama highlighted the significant growth in trade between Ghana and India. Ghana’s exports to India have risen from approximately $3 billion to nearly $7 billion, primarily driven by goods exports. He noted that Ghana imports substantial quantities of agricultural machinery and automobiles, including buses, from India. This exchange, he emphasized, demonstrates the mutual benefits of trade between the two nations.
The President expressed Ghana’s openness to partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medicines locally. This policy aligns with the Accra Reset, an agenda aimed at promoting health sovereignty. He cited a positive development in this area: Atlantic Life Sciences, a major Indian pharmaceutical company, is collaborating with KinaPharma, an indigenous Ghanaian company, to develop vaccines for Ghana.
President Mahama referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in July 2025 and Dr. Jaishankar’s follow-up visit as evidence of growing cooperation between Ghana and India. A notable symbol of this partnership is Jubilee House, which was financed and built by an Indian company during Ghana’s Jubilee year celebrations. Additionally, the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre for ICT and the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line are tangible benefits of this partnership.
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu to President Mahama. He emphasized that Prime Minister Modi is urging the two nations to give concrete shape to their comprehensive partnership. The task, Dr. Jaishankar noted, is for the Foreign Ministers to explore new possibilities and avenues for cooperation.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. These officials were present to discuss and facilitate the growing relationship between Ghana and India. The discussions reflect a mutual desire to strengthen ties and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The talks between President Mahama and Dr. Jaishankar signify a continued effort to bolster Ghana-India relations. With a focus on trade, investment, and cooperation, both nations aim to deepen their partnership. Key areas of focus include the rail sector, pharmaceutical industry, and fostering a new world order that promotes multilateralism.
Key points
- President Mahama and Dr. Jaishankar discussed ways to strengthen Ghana-India relations, with a focus on trade and investment.
- Ghana’s exports to India have increased from $3 billion to nearly $7 billion, driven mainly by goods exports.
- The two nations are exploring partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medicines locally, aligning with the Accra Reset agenda.
