By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, April 3, GNA – The Indian government has provided over 400 fully funded slots to Ghanaian students this year for higher education, including graduate, postgraduate, doctorate programs, and training.
Mr. Manish Gupta, Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, disclosed this during the India-Ghana Partnership Day Reception in Accra.
He said the opportunities are under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, covering health, governance, environment, ICT, and defense training.
The event celebrated the India-Ghana Developmental Partnership, emphasizing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. Mr. Gupta noted,
Mr. Gupta noted that the slot from ITEC had been increased by 50 per cent this year, and cumulatively, over 4,000 Ghanaians have benefited from the programmes.
“Additionally, Indian private universities are stepping up to offer various scholarships for higher education. The High Commission of India is set to organise the ‘Study in India Fair’ this April,” he said.
Mr. Gupta highlighted the bipartisan support for the partnership, which has facilitated several signature projects in Ghana over the past decade and a half.
“These projects include the Jubilee House, Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, Foreign Policy Training Institute, as well as initiatives in agro-harvesting, fisheries, rural electrification, and the recently completed Tema-Mpakadan railway line project,” he noted.
The High Commissioner stated that Indian investors had committed nearly $2 billion to Ghana over the past decade and were dedicated to expanding partnerships in all sectors, adopting cost-effective technologies, and sharing expertise through capacity building.
The ITEC programme, established in 1964, is one of the oldest institutionalised arrangements for international capacity building under South-South cooperation.
The event was attended by Madam Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development; Mr. Vitus Langmane, Chief Director representing the tourism minister; Ms. Lilian Baeka, Chief Director representing the Greater Accra Regional Minister; 250 ITEC alumni; Members of Parliament; and prominent Indian nationals.
Madam Arthur noted that annual bilateral trade between Ghana and India exceeds $2 billion.
Ghana’s major exports to India include cocoa, gold, timber, cashew nuts, and oil, while imports from India include pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and refined petroleum products.
“Ghanaian students have greatly benefited from India’s scholarship programmess and capacity-building initiatives. With the exchange of knowledge playing a key role in strengthening Ghana’s workforce and technology development, we can bring prosperity and growth to our people,” the minister said.
GNA
KAS