Indian diaspora major part of Ghana’s economy: Prez

Vijay Mohan

Tribune news Service

Accra (Ghana), June 15

Facilitating Indo-African trade to the tune of 70 billion US Dollars, the 10,000 strong Indian diaspora in the African country of Ghana is playing a significant part in the regional economy, with several success stories to talk about.

Stating that members of the Indian community have become dynamic representatives of India's soft power, President Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing them at a reception, said that the giant strides made in bilateral trade ties between India and Ghana would not have been possible without the dynamic role of the Indian diaspora.

“When Diamond Cement turns around a closed down cement factory in Ghana, it speaks for the tenacity and entrepreneurship; when the Cheema family, who started as small farmers and grew into one of the largest exporters of horticulture products, bringing precious foreign exchange to this country, it is a story worthy of admiration” the President said.

“When the Mohinanis help take drinking water through their polytanks to millions of homes in Ghana, this feat touches our hearts; when the Khubchandinis bring groceries from across the world through their multiple Melcom stores to the door steps of millions of the poor and middle class homes to this friendly country, while also generating vast employment opportunities, they deserve commendation,” he added.

Stating that the India disapora worldwide had one thing in common — a sense of belonging to India— Mukherjee also called upon the Indian community to actively take part in various programmes which the Government of India had launched such as Digital India, Stand-Up India, Start-Up India, Smart Cities and Swachch Bharat.

India-Ghana bilateral trade has reached $ 3 billion and Indian investments in this country are estimated at around $ 1 billion.

Stating that the Indian community was a force multiplier of India’s growing economic strength, Mukjherjee said that they have a very important role to play in the objectives set in the Third India-Africa Summit Forum held in New Delhi last October.

Earlier, addressing a business meeting, Mukherjee said the Indian government was ready to work with Ghanaian people in key sectors and encourage Indian entrepreneurs to invest more in Ghana.