By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Jan. 27, GNA – Mr. Manish Gupta, Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, affirmed that India and Ghana would strengthen their bilateral relations to mutually benefit both countries.
He emphasized that the focus would be on increasing investments in Ghana’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), manufacturing, and services sectors.
Mr. Gupta said this during a reception to commemorate of India’s 76th Republic Day at the weekend in Accra.
He noted that the two countries had numerous opportunities to explore, given Ghana’s potential in agriculture, its abundant natural resources, and India’s rapidly growing economy.
The event, hosted at the High Commissioner’s residence, saw a large gathering of Indians from across Ghana who came together to celebrate 76 years of India’s independence, democratic values, justice, equality, and its rich heritage.
The event highlighted the significant contributions of figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and women leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, who played vital roles in India’s independence and in the Constituent Assembly that crafted India’s Constitution, which has guided the nation’s progress.
Mr. Gupta noted that since independence, India and Ghana had shared common values and built a relationship rooted in mutual trust.
He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the new government to further strengthen the partnership between the two nations.
“Ghana and Indian have a multifaceted relationship. And for the first time in our development partnership, we commissioned the largest ever project that has been the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. It is a $450 million project that has come under the facility of the Eximbank,” he said.
Mr. Gupta noted that Ghana had made significant investments in the development of its human capital and educational institutions, like India’s approach when its first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, established a strong industrial base alongside world-class education and institutions.
“Such a move really empowered the Indian communities so what I think Ghana ought to be doing is recognising and developing the services sector.
“Ghanaians are good, the human capital is good, and Ghana can serve the regional block for economic benefit,” he said.
Mr. Gupta stated that Ghana had the potential to develop not only in computer sciences and information technology but also in health, pharmaceuticals, and digital public infrastructure.
He commended the biometric card initiative, praising it as a foundation for promoting transparency in governance and all sectors.
Mr. Gopal C. Vasu, Director of M & G Pharmaceuticals Ltd, suggested that Ghana could learn from India’s success, and emphasised that India’s five-year development plans were followed by every Prime Minister.
Having lived in Ghana for 56 years, Mr. Vasu urged the government to invest in agriculture, education, health, and industry.
He also stressed the need for Ghana to critically evaluate its land tenure system, which was not conducive to investment.
The 76th Republic Day celebrations featured brightly dressed Indian children who captivated the audience with a lively performance of Indian music, culture, and history, highlighting the rich heritage of their homeland.
GNA