President John Dramani Mahama on Monday held talks with President Pranab Mukherjee of India who is on an official visit to Ghana.
The Flagstaff House discussions focused on enhancing economic trade between the two countries, India’s continued support for Ghana’s development process, especially the quest to boost industrialisation and agro-processing under the Agenda for Transformation and a number of multilateral issues.
India is the largest foreign investor in Ghana today, with more than 700 investment projects. More than 222 of these projects are in the manufacturing sector. Bilateral trade between India and Ghana has increased to $1.2 billion from $538 million in 2010.
After the talks, the two sides signed three MoUs including the waiver of visa for diplomatic and official passports, establishment of a joint commission to periodically monitor various aspects of multidimensional relationship, and helping in training of Ghanaian Foreign services.
“In the new areas, it came for the first time…Ghanian President specifically mentioned that since India is leader in nuclear energy they want to look at having a civil nuclear cooperation with India,” Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha said.
The two sides discussed new model of doing business on how to go beyond government to government and lines of credit modes of investment.
President Mukherjee was on Sunday hosted to a State Dinner and according to President Mahama, “starting your Visit with this State Dinner in your Distinguished Honour, and in the Flagstaff House, is a true reflection of the strong bond of friendship and bilateral cooperation that exists between our two countries.”
