India, Ghana to explore cooperation in N-sector

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Accra (Ghana), June 13

As India extended lines of credit to Ghana for socio-economic development in the African state, both countries today also agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in civilian use of nuclear energy during delegation-level talks as part of the state visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to the African country.

Terming this a “starting point” in nuclear cooperation between the two countries, government officials said India had the technology and expertise that could be used by Ghana.

While a definite roadmap on nuclear cooperation is yet to be formulated and the subject is still in the conceptual stage, Ministry of External Affairs officials say while India can offer technical expertise and assistance to Ghana for (peaceful use of nuclear energy), Ghana has uranium deposits that can be optimally exploited and is also aiming to generate electricity from nuclear plants in around 10 years.

Mukherjee, who is on a state visit to Ghana, today held talks with his Ghanian counterpart John Dramani Mahama in the rain-soaked capital of Accra, calling for taking Indo-Ghanian cooperation to the next level and increasing investments. Three memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the two countries were signed today. These were exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, establishment of a joint commission to review bilateral ties and investments and academic interaction between the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of External Affairs in India and Ministry of Foreign Regional Integration of Ghana.

A joint statement is expected to be issued by the two Presidents tomorrow. This is the first-ever visit of an Indian President to Ghana. During the past five years, India has extended approximately half a billion US dollars credit to Ghana, out of which around $200 million have already been utilised.

Among the agreements are the construction of a 55-km railway line between Tema and Akasombo in Ghana, for which the EXIM Bank would be lending $400 million, is coming up. This is being considered very important as it will connect the main port of Ghana with the northern areas and the hinterland and bring out a socio-economic development in a sustainable manner.

A fish processing plant has also been commissioned recently, which is expected to transform the life of fishermen by increasing their income. A sugar-processing plant has also just been commissioned that will benefit Ghana, which has a very high import bill for sugar, besides encouraging local sugar plantations.

Education, low coast housing, advanced healthcare, agriculture and IT have been identified as other potential sectors for cooperation. Terming Indo-Ghanian relations warm and well entrenched in history, Indian diplomats said terror also formed a part of the talks and the two nations said the solution lied in collective action.