Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Ghana’s highest civilian honour – The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana – during his landmark state visit to the West African nation. This honour is not only a personal recognition of Modi’s leadership but also a matter of immense pride for 1.4 billion Indians. It marks a significant milestone in India’s foreign relations and reflects the global community’s growing admiration for India’s leadership under Modi. The award also signifies the deepening of India’s ties with Ghana and the African continent at large, aligning with Modi’s consistent efforts to give a stronger voice to the Global South.
Recognition of Global South Leadership
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar described the honour as “fitting,” noting that it recognises Prime Minister Modi’s steadfast efforts to amplify the voice of developing countries. He highlighted the award as a reflection of India’s strong cooperation and growing friendship with Ghana. Modi, in his acceptance remarks, dedicated the honour to the aspirations of India’s youth, the country’s rich cultural diversity, and the historical civilisational bonds between India and Ghana. He stressed that the award was not just a personal accolade but a responsibility to further strengthen the relationship between the two democratic nations.
In a tweet following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said, “I thank the people and Government of Ghana for conferring ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’ upon me. This honour is dedicated to the bright future of our youth, their aspirations, our rich cultural diversity and the historical ties between India and Ghana.” He added that the award also represents a renewed commitment to work toward an even stronger India-Ghana partnership in the years ahead.
First Prime Ministerial Visit in Three Decades
PM Modi’s visit to Ghana is historic in itself, as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over 30 years. During this high-profile trip, Modi held bilateral talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. Both leaders agreed to elevate the India-Ghana relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on cooperation in agriculture, education, defence, digital payments, and healthcare. India’s digital payment platform, Bharat UPI, was offered to Ghana to promote financial inclusion and technological innovation. The Prime Minister also announced India’s intention to double its trade with Ghana in the next five years, underlining the economic dimension of the growing bilateral engagement.
President Mahama welcomed Prime Minister Modi with warm words, describing the visit as a continuation of the strong foundation laid by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He praised India’s consistent developmental assistance to Ghana, especially in infrastructure and human capital development. Over the past few years, India has extended development financing worth over $450 million to Ghana. This assistance, covering projects ranging from education and capacity building to infrastructure, is a testament to India’s role as a trusted development partner.
Ghana’s Highest Honour for a Trusted Partner
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also spoke highly of Modi’s visit and the award. In a press briefing, he noted that the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana is the highest honour the country bestows on foreign dignitaries. Only a select few global leaders have ever been given this recognition. Ablakwa said that Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to South-South cooperation, along with India’s contribution to Ghana’s growth story, made him a deserving recipient of the award. He described it as a symbol of enduring friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
Modi’s leadership has helped position India as a key partner to many African countries. From infrastructure support to digital skilling, and from defence cooperation to healthcare partnerships, India’s footprint in Africa has expanded significantly in recent years. Ghana has been a particular focus of this engagement, with India backing projects that directly impact livelihoods and economic growth.
A Crown of Global Recognition: 24 Prestigious State Honours Conferred on PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi has now joined the elite club of world leaders who have been honoured globally for their leadership, diplomacy, and statesmanship. His recognition in Ghana adds to an impressive list of 24 state honours from foreign governments, reflecting his diplomatic reach across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Here’s a list of the international state honours received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi:
- Order of King Abdulaziz Al Saud – Saudi Arabia, April 2016
- State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan – Afghanistan, June 2016
- Grand Collar of the State of Palestine – Palestine, February 2018
- Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin – Maldives, June 2019
- Order of Zayed – United Arab Emirates, August 2019
- King Hamad Order of the Renaissance – Bahrain, August 2019
- Order of St. Andrew the Apostle – Russia, July 2024
- Legion of Merit – United States, December 2020
- Order of the Druk Gyalpo – Bhutan, March 2024
- Companion of the Order of Fiji – Fiji, May 2023
- Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu – Papua New Guinea, May 2023
- Ebakl Award – Palau, May 2023
- Order of the Nile – Egypt, June 2023
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour – France, July 2023
- Order of Honour – Greece, August 2023
- Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer – Kuwait, December 2024
- Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger – Nigeria, November 2024
- Dominica Award of Honour – Dominica, November 2024
- Order of Excellence of Guyana – Guyana, November 2024
- Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean – Mauritius, March 2025
- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana – Sri Lanka, April 2025
- Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III – Cyprus, June 2025
- Grand Cross of the Order of Honour – Greece, August, 2023
- Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana – Ghana, July 2025
Recognition that Reflects a Rising India
The conferment of Ghana’s highest civilian honour on Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a powerful testament to India’s growing global influence and the respect it commands in the international community. This award reflects not just a diplomatic gesture but also a recognition of India’s role as a leader of the Global South, a responsible development partner, and a nation rooted in civilisational values. As Modi continues to represent India with confidence, clarity, and conviction on the global stage, honours like these affirm that India’s time has come—and the world is watching.
