Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Ghana’s national honour for global statesmanship

New Delhi (India) July 3: In recognition of his outstanding statesmanship and significant worldwide leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ghana's national honour, the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana on Thursday. President John Dramani Mahama gave out the esteemed honour when PM Modi was in the West African country.

PM Modi posted, "Honoured to be conferred with ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’.” on social media platform X to express his gratitude for the honour. 

Modi claimed that receiving the award was a source of immense pride and honour for him and dedicated it to the hopes and promising future of the two nations' youth, and the historical connections between Ghana and India and their diverse and rich cultural traditions.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the honour is an indication of the two countries' strong and developing partnership. Modi expressed his gratitude to the Ghanaian government and people for the recognition, adding that the two nations' shared democratic traditions and principles will continue to shape and deepen their cooperative relationship.

According to him, the honour "deepens the friendship between India and Ghana" and "places new obligation" on him to keep strengthening the two countries' relationship. Modi also said he was confident that his "historic" visit will give India-Ghana relations new life.

After extensive talks, the two leaders agreed to transform their bilateral relationship into a complete partnership. As part of his five-nation tour, PM Modi is making his first prime ministerial visit to Ghana in thirty years.

President Mahama greeted Prime Minister Modi and said the visit demonstrated the two nations' long-standing friendship.

He said, “This visit is a testament to the deep-rooted historical ties between Ghana and India founded on the visionary leadership of Ghana's first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and India's former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, as well as the ever-growing bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between our two sisterly countries for the mutual benefit of our people."

The PM also stated that India intends to increase financial connection by offering its digital payment system, Bharat UPI, and doubling commerce with Ghana in the next five years.

PM Modi stated that India would increase collaboration with Ghana in important areas such as digital payments, education, military, healthcare, and agriculture during a joint news conference with Ghanaian President John Mahama.

Aadrika Tayal