Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has welcomed Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s historic official visit to Ghana, describing it as a “moment of deep diplomatic significance” and a milestone in Ghana–India relations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minority leader acknowledged the strategic and symbolic importance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit—the first by a sitting Indian leader to Ghana in over 30 years, and the first ever to address Ghana’s Parliament.
“Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks the first time in over three decades that a sitting Indian Prime Minister has set foot on Ghanaian soil, and the first ever to address the Parliament of Ghana. It is a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Ghana and India,” the statement said.
The Minority Leader recalled the historic bonds of solidarity between the two countries, dating back to the era of Kwame Nkrumah and Jawaharlal Nehru, and praised India’s longstanding contributions to Ghana’s development in sectors such as education, technology, healthcare, trade, and human resource development.
“India’s contributions to Ghana’s development have been invaluable. We applaud this partnership and reiterate our commitment to furthering it, guided by mutual respect, shared values, and strategic cooperation,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
The Caucus also welcomed India’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s ambition of becoming a vaccine manufacturing hub for Africa, while expressing hope for the swift implementation of recently signed MoUs in agriculture, health, defence, and digital infrastructure.
The Minority Leader paid glowing tribute to Prime Minister Modi’s personal and political journey, describing it as a compelling example of resilience, transformation, and people-centred governance.
“We in the Minority find deep inspiration in his story. His example proves that rebranding—when grounded in conviction, strategy, and a sincere desire to serve—is not only possible but necessary,” Afenyo-Markin emphasised.
Citing the Indian leader’s rise from humble beginnings to securing three consecutive election victories, the statement reflected on Modi’s success in repositioning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into a dominant national force.
“He rebranded a party once seen as marginal, that had long been in the shadows of Indian politics, and gave it new life—anchoring it in ideological clarity, national pride, disciplined organisation, and people-centred governance,” it added.
Afenyo-Markin urged Ghanaian leaders to draw inspiration from Modi’s transformation of Gujarat into an investment destination, his commitment to economic productivity over populism, and his digital governance initiatives that boosted inclusion and transparency in India.
“Those of us who lead Ghana must confront the dependency mindset that continues to trap too many of our people. Ghanaian entrepreneurs do not need charity—they need opportunity,” the statement said.
He also praised Modi’s unity-focused leadership in a religiously and ethnically diverse India, calling on Ghana to embrace a politics that heals rather than divides.
The Minority Leader stressed a joint Indo-Ghanaian investment in the Effutu constituency—the construction of Sub-Saharan Africa’s first tissue factory using wood pulp, which began in 2023 and is expected to be commissioned in October 2025. The $31 million project is projected to produce 22,000 metric tons of jumbo tissue rolls annually and create over 200 direct jobs.
“This is not just a factory—it is a symbol of what Indian-Ghanaian collaboration can achieve,” he noted.
He called for institutionalising the relationship between the two countries through stronger parliamentary diplomacy, including the establishment of a Ghana–India Parliamentary Friendship Association.
Afenyo-Markin also urged that bilateral partnerships go beyond investment to emphasise local job creation, knowledge transfer, industrialisation, and inclusive growth.
“Ghana is not just a market; we are partners in shaping the next frontier of global development. We pledge our full support for the strengthening of Ghana–India relations and stand ready to deepen the bond between our nations, for the benefit of generations to come,” he assured.
