“India is ready to work together with Ghana to expand the scope of our cooperation in multifarious spheres to further strengthen and broaden our bond of friendship.”

According to Mr Yadav, India had in the past, supported Ghana in areas such as agriculture, rural electrification, health and education, and that his country would increase its assistance to Ghana to make meaningful progress in her development.

He gave the assurance at the commemoration of the 73rd Independence Day Anniversary of India at his residence in Accra yesterday.

The annual event affords the Indian community in Ghana an opportunity to solidarise with their compatriots in India and around the world.

They participated in activities such as hoisting of the Indian National Flag, singing of the Indian National Anthem as well as choreography, drama on the country’s independence struggles and cultural dances.

Message from President

In a speech read on his behalf, the President of India, Mr Shri Ram Nath Kovind, said the ideals of the fight for independence were not only for the transfer of political power but also, improvement in the living condition of citizens.

“Before 1947, the dreams were of a free India. Today, the dreams are for accelerated development; for effective and transparent governance; and yet for a smaller footprint of government in our everyday lives,” Mr Kovind said in his message read by the High Commissioner to Ghana.

The India President added that the fight was no more for independence, but respect for the human rights and privileges of all Indians.

“While the government inevitably has its role to play, I will argue that the greater opportunity and ability lies in the skill, talent, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship of the 1.3 billion Indians,” he stated.

Mr Kovind paid tribute to the freedom fighters and revolutionaries who struggled to liberate India from British colonial rule, saying events such as the Independence Day was also to appreciate the efforts of those freedom fighters.

The President further called for the culture of curiosity to be institutionalised in the youth, particularly in classrooms, to propel the country’s quest for excellence in all aspects of development.