We must learn from India’s self-sufficiency, progress
The relationship between Ghana and India dates as far back as 1953, even before the latter gained independence, with the opening of a consulate in Accra and the establishment of full-fledged diplomatic relations with Ghana immediately after its independence in 1957.
Ghana, in turn, established its High Commission in New Delhi after it had gained independence.
Since then, both countries have not only enjoyed good bilateral relations but also fruitful and cordial relations, as well as increased trade between them.
From the onset, Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, shared a strong personal bond of friendship, with Presidents Nkrumah, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor embarking on state visits to India, while Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao of India, also visited Ghana in 1995 during his tenure.
The two countries share some commonalities, such as being founder members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Government of India's Team-9 initiative and members of the Commonwealth.
It is, therefore, not surprising that in the same spirit of cooperation and friendship, India’s current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, embarked on a two-day state visit to Ghana this month, where he was also conferred with a state honour - Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
Although it was the first time in 30 years that an Indian Premier had visited the country, it buttressed the point that the friendship between the two countries has come to stay, meaning that new avenues need to be explored to benefit both countries.
The visit afforded the two countries the opportunity to sign a series of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in culture, trade and health, as well as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between them.
There were also other agreements covering collaboration in traditional medicine between Ghana's Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, and India's Ministry of Ayush, a cultural exchange programme, and standards harmonisation between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards.
We are also excited that other areas of cooperation in vaccine production, agricultural machinery supply and defence cooperation are being finalised through diplomatic channels, as disclosed by President John Mahama.
Indeed, it was through India’s support that the country put up its seat of government and moved from the colonial relic, the Osu Castle, to the Jubilee House, which was inaugurated in November 2008, and also received support for the establishment of Ghana’s first Foreign Service Institute.
Nonetheless, even as we laud the fruitful relations that have existed between Ghana and India since our political independence, we are of the view that it is time for us as a country to take our cooperation with India to another level by learning from their expertise.
As a founder member of the now 10-member intergovernmental organisation and economic group, BRICS, India has over the years showed so much fortitude in innovation, which has made it an economic power.
The country has become a giant in Information Technology, Pharmaceuticals (including traditional medicine), manufacturing in general, agriculture, energy, the film industry (Bollywood), machinery, gems and jewellery, refined petroleum and automobiles, among others.
The paper believes that it is time for Ghana to learn how to also become self-sufficient and a global power.
The country is so endowed that we can also carve a niche for ourselves if we put our minds to it.
Ghana as a sovereign state got it right at the beginning when we produced our own glass, textiles, ceramics, matches, television and radio sets, processed meat and many others.
Now we import everything, although we can develop the capacity not only to produce for ourselves, but also to become a world leader.
The Daily Graphic has observed that the establishment of the Gold Board is yielding positive results, with the country having access to more of the gold produced here. As the number one gold producer in Africa, Ghana can become the global leader in refined gold and jewellery, which would boost its economy.
We can also properly utilise our cocoa, other produce and minerals by processing them before exporting, researching on their benefits to take a bigger chunk of the world market than we are doing now.
Ghana is so blessed that we do not have any excuse to fail ourselves, Africa and the world.
