This article covers cultural relations between India and Ghana, scholarships and educational links, people-to-people exchanges and the Indian community living in Ghana. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026, the bilateral brief published by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Cultural agreements

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the two countries have concluded the following cultural instruments:

  • a Cultural Agreement, signed on 12 October 1981 during President Limann's visit to India;
  • a Cultural and Scientific Exchange Programme, signed on 5 August 2002 during President Kufuor's visit to India;
  • a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2018-22, signed on 18 July 2018 during Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey's visit to India;
  • an MoU on the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP), renewed during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ghana in July 2025.

Awareness of India and festivals

The brief notes greater awareness of India in Ghana through Indian soap operas broadcast by local television channels. The first Festival of India in Ghana, "Maitri", was held from 25 January to 13 March 2017, in collaboration with India's Ministry of Culture and Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

The Indian High Commission in Accra, with various Indian associations, organised India Fest 2024 at the Accra Sports Stadium on 26 October 2024, with stalls of regional products, cultural artefacts and cuisines. India Fest 2025 was held at the same venue on 18 October 2025, with the participation of over 4000 people.

Occasions such as Unity Day, Constitution Day, World Hindi Day, Pravasi Bharatiya Day, ITEC/Partnership Day and the Swachchta Abhiyan campaign are marked regularly with local participation and the Indian community. Vishwa Hindi Diwas, Ayurveda Day and Unity Day were among the events organised during January-November 2024. On 8 March 2025, the High Commission organised a Women's Day Walk and Wellness Fest with the Rotary Club of Accra, Premier International (RCAPI) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ghana.

Ghanaian artists have also taken part in events in India. A 20-member cultural troupe from Ghana participated in the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in February 2024, and another 20-member troupe took part in the 39th edition in February 2026.

Yoga

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated in Ghana every year since 2015.

  • The 10th International Yoga Day was celebrated at over 15 locations across Ghana over 30 days, including Ho (5 June), Tamale (15 June), Kumasi (21 June) and Accra (22 June), where it was held at the Christianborg Castle.
  • The 11th International Yoga Day was marked at over 15 locations over 45 days, in cities including Ho, Tamale, Kumasi, Tema and Accra, with the main event at the Christianborg Castle on 21 June 2025.

The brief states that yoga classes are held at the High Commission of India in Accra on all working days, and that sessions are also organised at other institutions and expos when possible.

Scholarships and education

During Prime Minister Modi's State visit to Ghana, the number of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships for Ghana was doubled from 35 to 70 per year.

Education fairs have been held in Ghana to present Indian universities to students:

  • TIES Global, in collaboration with the Periyar Foundation (PAF) and supported by the Indian High Commission, held an Education Fair in Kumasi on 8 February 2024 and in Accra on 9 February 2024. The brief records that 10 Indian universities and students from 15 Ghanaian schools took part.
  • The High Commission, with Ties Global, hosted a "Study in India Fair" in Kumasi on 22 April 2025 and in Accra on 23 April 2025.

Ghanaian officials have also attended education events in India. The Deputy Minister of Road and Highways attended the India-Africa Higher Education and Skill Development Summit in New Delhi (26-27 August 2019). Deputy Minister of Education Mr. John Ntim Fordjour led a delegation from the Education Ministry to the Education Knowledge Exchange Summit in New Delhi (14-21 February 2024).

Exchange programmes and media visits

  • A 7-member delegation of young Ghanaian MPs visited India for the 2nd Session of the ICCR "Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme" from 20-29 May 2022.
  • Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice Chancellor of Cape Coast University, visited India under the ICCR Academic Visitors Programme from 23 September to 2 October 2022.
  • A 5-member Ghanaian media delegation made a Media Familiarization visit to India from 24-30 October 2024, which the brief says gave Ghanaian media persons exposure to India's cultural, economic, developmental and technological progress.

The Indian community in Ghana

The brief describes a sizable Indian community in Ghana numbering over 17,000, as of the time of the brief. Some of its members have been in Ghana for over 70 years, some families are now in their fourth generation there, and most have acquired Ghanaian citizenship. Several Indian expatriates also work as skilled workers for multinational companies and prominent local Ghanaian businesses.

The community is served by a Hindu Temple, a Gurudwara and a Hindu Monastery, the last founded by a Ghanaian convert to Hinduism. An ISKCON Temple, mostly run by Ghanaians, and an Art of Living Centre are also active.

There are 14 Indian and regional associations in Ghana. According to the brief, they promote different aspects of India's cultural heritage by celebrating regional festivals and joining events organised by the High Commission for cultural promotion. The Indian Association of Ghana is the oldest of them and has a community centre that organises Indian festivals and cultural programmes. The brief also records that the Indian Association makes contributions to local community development projects and donations to charitable causes.