India’s trade with Ghana hits $1.9b last year

India’s volume of trade with Ghana hits $1.9 billion between April and September last year, representing 38 per cent increase over the same period in 2021.

That, according to the Indian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr Sugandh Rajaram, has made India one of the largest investors in Ghana with Foreign Direct Invest­ment (FDI) to a tune of US$2.2 billion with about 870 projects from 1994-2021.

Speaking at his Annual Media Get-Together on Thursday in Accra, the Indian High Commis­sioner reiterated India’s commit­ment to deepening further trade relations with Ghana to accelerate its development agenda.

The annual event, instituted by Mr Rajaram, was meant to brief the Ghanaian media about his stewardship and keep them abreast of developments as far as Ghana – India relations were concerned.

Mr Rajaram disclosed that India has extended about US$ 450 mil­lion concessional Lines of Credit (LoCs) and grants for projects in Ghana.

These included the construction of the Foreign Service Training Institute at the cost of $5 million, $30 million Yendi Water Project in the Northern Region, and a $150 million Agric Mechanisa­tion Project at advanced stage of implementation.

Mr Rajaram said as part of strengthening relations, Ghana – India Pharma Business Summit was organised.

This, according to him, was preceded by the participation of 98 Indian companies in Agrotech, Pharma and Healthcare Expo in Accra in March and April last year.

Mr Rajarm mentioned Informa­tion Communication Technology (ICT), Power and Energy as busi­ness Expo that Indian companies had also participated.

There were other high lev­el engagements, especially the Ghana-India Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi, and co-chaired by Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Kwaku Apratwum-Sarpong.

In the area of capacity building, Mr Rajarm said India had offered 254 scholarships to Ghanaian students to pursue undergradu­ate, post-graduate and doctorate courses in various Indian univer­sities as well as training for public servants and defence personnel.

To climax the year’s activities, the Indian High Commission­er said he would interact with Regional Minsters, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Ex­ecutives, traditional rulers and the media to get first-hand insight into the country’s socio-dynamics.

Mr Rajaram commended the Ghanaian media for projecting Ghana-India relations over the years.

The president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, reaffirmed the association’s pledge to sustain the partnership in the years ahead.

BY NORMAN COOPER