India Sees Ghana As West Africa’s Entry Point

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana – the first by an Indian leader in more than three decades – put resources, trade, and security cooperation at the center of a renewed partnership.

Ghana, a key West African gateway rich in gold, bauxite, manganese, and emerging lithium reserves, is looking to work closely with India in areas where New Delhi has a clear advantage, especially pharmaceuticals. According to the India Narrative, more than 26 percent of generic medicines in Africa come from India, and Indian pharmaceutical companies dominate the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority’s registry of foreign manufacturing facilities.

Security was another major talking point. Facing growing threats from the Sahel and coastal piracy, Ghana is seeking training, equipment, and deeper defense ties with India. Shared counterterrorism priorities have already strengthened the relationship – Ghanaian President John Mahama condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, underlining the common ground.

Economic ties remain the backbone of the relationship. Bilateral trade stands at around $3 billion, with both sides aiming to double it to $6 billion within five years. Ghana currently enjoys a trade surplus with India, largely thanks to gold exports, which make up more than 70 percent of its shipments. Imports from India include pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, and industrial goods, while cocoa, timber, and cashew nuts are other key exports to India.

India has invested over $2 billion in Ghana, spanning concessional finance, private capital, and grants across some 900 projects. Ranked among Ghana’s top investors, Indian state-backed companies have played a major role in infrastructure development.

For India, Ghana’s mineral wealth fits neatly with the goals of its National Critical Mineral Mission. President Mahama’s call for Indian investment in mineral extraction and processing aligns with New Delhi’s growing demand for resources vital to energy transition and advanced manufacturing.

The visit also reinforced India’s wider Africa strategy, which now involves nearly $100 billion in trade, about $75 billion in total investments, and a diaspora of 3.5 million. In his address to Ghana’s Parliament, Modi stressed that India’s development cooperation is “demand-driven,” focused on building local capacity and creating opportunities on the ground. His “invest, but empower” message reflected an approach based on mutual benefit rather than dependency.

As India seeks stronger ties in West Africa, Ghana’s mix of economic promise, political stability, and regional influence could make it a cornerstone of New Delhi’s outreach to the continent.