Ghana Honours PM Modi with ‘Officer of the Order of the Star’ Award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Ghana’s prestigious civilian award, the ‘Officer of the Order of the Star’, in recognition of his global leadership and contributions to strengthening India-Africa relations. The honour was presented during his historic state visit to Ghana—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades.

The award ceremony was held in Accra in the presence of Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, top dignitaries, and members of the Indian diaspora. This rare civilian decoration is one of Ghana’s highest national honours and symbolizes the country’s deep appreciation for PM Modi’s role in advancing global cooperation, South-South solidarity, and Africa’s development priorities.

A Milestone in India-Ghana Ties

Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks a significant milestone in India-Ghana bilateral relations, with both countries committing to deepen ties in trade, infrastructure, digital technology, healthcare, defence, and education.

During the state visit, several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, including:

• Expansion of the Pan-African e-Network Project

• Setting up a Centre for Excellence in IT in Accra

• Defence training and maritime cooperation initiatives

• Bilateral trade facilitation and capacity-building partnerships

President Akufo-Addo, while presenting the honour, praised Prime Minister Modi for being a “champion of the Global South” and for India’s unwavering support to African nations in capacity-building, vaccine diplomacy, and digital empowerment.

Symbol of India’s Africa Focus

The conferment of Ghana’s national honour to PM Modi is seen as a reflection of India’s rising soft power and diplomatic outreach across Africa, particularly under New Delhi’s “10 Guiding Principles for Africa,” which Modi unveiled in 2018.

Under Modi’s leadership, India has significantly scaled up engagement with African nations, including:

• Lines of credit worth billions of dollars for infrastructure and agriculture

• Humanitarian and disaster relief missions

• Scholarships and training for African professionals under ITEC and ICCR

• Connectivity projects and solar energy partnerships under the International Solar Alliance

India-Ghana: Historical and Contemporary Links

India and Ghana share a long-standing relationship rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement and strong people-to-people ties. India is among Ghana’s top trading partners, and Indian companies are active in sectors like pharmaceuticals, agri-processing, and construction.

With a vibrant Indian diaspora contributing to Ghana’s economy and culture, both nations view each other as natural development partners.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Ghana’s ‘Officer of the Order of the Star’ is not only a personal honour but also a tribute to India’s renewed commitment to Africa’s rise and shared global leadership. The visit, marked by warm diplomacy and forward-looking agreements, has added a new chapter in the India-Ghana strategic partnership, promising stronger cooperation in the years ahead.