GregorioBigge0 at 14:14, 21 February 2026

2026-02-21T14:14:44Z

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{{Short description|Ghanaian citizens of Indian origin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| group = Ghanaian Indians
| total = Around 4,000
| popplace = [[Ghana]]
| langs = Mainly: {{hlist|[[Hindi]]|[[English language|English]] ([[Ghanaian Pidgin English|Ghanaian English]])|[[French language|French]]}}
Also: {{hlist|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]|[[Bengali language|Bengali]]|[[Malayalam]]|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]|[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]|[[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]|[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]|[[Akan language|Akan]]{{efn|name=Akan}}|other [[languages of Ghana]]}}
| rels = Mainly: {{hlist|[[Hinduism]]|[[Christianity]]|[[Islam]]}}
Also: {{hlist|[[Sikhism]]|[[Jainism]]|[[Irreligion]]|[[Atheism]]}}
| related = {{flatlist|
* [[Indian people|Indians]]
* [[Indian diaspora]]
}}
}}

'''Ghanaian Indians''' ({{langx|fr|Indiens ghanéens}}; [[Akan language|Akan]]: ''Nkɔmbɔtwetwe India Gaana'') are [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaians]] [[Ghanaian nationality law|citizens]] of Indian origin or descent. Many Ghanaian Indians are descendants from those who migrated from [[India]] following [[Partition of India|India's partition]] in 1947.<ref name="Ghana's unique African-Hindu"/>

== History ==

===Origins===
The [[Indo-Aryan peoples]] and [[Sindi people|Sindhi]], who were the first Indians to arrive in [[Ghana]], initially came as merchants and [[shopkeeper]]s, and gradually, in the 1950s and 1960s, a few ventures out in the manufacturing industries such as [[Clothing|garments]], [[Plastics industry|plastics]], textiles, [[insecticide]]s, [[electronics]], [[Pharmaceutical drug|pharmaceutical industry]], [[Optics|optical]] goods etc.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> Some Indians who have lived in Ghana for most of their lives have acquired [[Ghanaian nationality law|Ghanaian citizenship]].<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> Some families are now in the fourth generation in Ghana. Ghanaian Indians tend to have a higher than average income than the general population.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190605022654/http://iaghana.com/aboutus.aspx#indians Indian Association of Ghana]}}. Retrieved 25 June 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.imi.ox.ac.uk/pdfs/ghana-country-paper Country Paper: Ghana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022061505/http://www.imi.ox.ac.uk/pdfs/ghana-country-paper |date=22 October 2013 }}. 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2012.</ref>

As far as records show, the first Indian (Sindhworki), Bhai Boolchand, landed on the shores of the ‘Gold Coast’ in the year 1890. Nearly twenty years later, in the year 1919, the first Sindhi company was established by two brothers, namely Tarachand Jasoomal Daswani and Metharam Jasoomal Daswani.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> They opened a store in the market place in the city of [[Cape Coast]] (which was the capital city in those days) in the year 1919, under the name of Metharam Jassomal Brothers. Their business flourished and branches were opened in Accra and Kumasi.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

Few years later, the two brothers separated and whilst Bhai Metharam Jasoomal continued his business under ‘Metharam Brothers’, Bhai Tarachand Jasoomal operated his business under the name ‘Bombay Bazaar’. These were the first two Indian companies that were established in Ghana then the ‘Gold Coast’.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> In the 1920s, two more Indian firms were established under the name of Lilaram Thanwardas and Mahtani Brothers, and this trend continued in the 1930s and 1940s with the birth of several more Indian companies, namely T. Chandirams, Punjabi Brothers, Wassiamal Brothers, Hariram Brothers, K. Chellaram & Sons, G. Motiram, D. P. Motwani, G. Dayaram, V. Lokumal, Glamour etc. Soon after, as these companies were bringing in new expatriate staff, some staff left their employers, and ventured on their own and more and more companies opened up.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

After 1947, the ‘Gold Coast’ attracted the attention of some Indian multinational companies, and big names like Chanrai, Bhojsons, K. A. J. Chotirmal, Dalamals, A. D. Gulab opened branches in Ghana. The employment of Ghanaians by these founding companies has also helped to lessen the burden of unemployment in the country.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> This amply demonstrates the level of commitment India has in the developmental agenda of Ghana.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> Indians not only invest in the manufacturing and commercial sectors of Ghana, but also in the financial sector. [[Bank of Baroda]], one of the biggest and most reputable banks in India recently established a branch in Ghana and is to expand its operations in other parts of the country.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

Most of the Indians who arrived in Ghana in 1947 and shortly afterwards acquired [[Ghanaian nationality law|Ghanaian citizenship]], which is granted without any discrimination. Social interaction between Ghanaian Indians and other Ghanaians is fairly widespread.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> There are partnerships between them in business deals and also [[Interracial marriage|mixed marriages]]. Ghanaians freely attend Indian social and cultural functions. The Ghanaian Indian community makes occasional donations to various worthy causes. Ghanaians have been quite appreciative of the role being played by Ghanaian Indians in the overall development of Ghana, and also for their culture and understanding towards others.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

==Culture==
The Ghanaian Indians are socially active. In [[Accra]], they have set up an Indian association and an Indian social centre, both of which function from the premises of an Indian temple that has been constructed by the Ghanaian Indian community in Accra.<ref name="Indian in Ghana"/> Various social and cultural programs are organised there, as well as festivals to mark important religious days. Every Thursday and Sunday, Ghanaian Indians gather for their [[Kirtan|K''irtans'']] and [[Puja (Hinduism)|''poojas'']]. The temple also hosts a Yoga centre and [[Radha Soami|Radhasoami]] (Beas) [[satsang]]s.<ref name="Ghana's unique African-Hindu">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10401741 Ghana's unique African-Hindu temple – BBC News] By Rajesh Joshi</ref><ref name="Indian in Ghana">[http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf Indian in Ghana] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206063957/http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf |date=6 February 2012 }}. ''[[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin]]''. Retrieved 25 June 2012.</ref>

The Indian community has played, and continues to play, a key role in many fields. The Indian association has a representation on many governmental boards, institutions, and charitable organizations in Ghana.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> Many Indians have lived over 50 years in Ghana – the oldest residents have been in Ghana since 1939 – and they see Ghana as their first home.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

==Education==
Ghanaian Indians have high educational statistics. Well-to-do Ghanaian Indian families send their children to the [[Ghana International School]], while others prefer less expensive schools. Some Ghanaian Indians even send their children to India or another country for their education.<ref name="Indian in Ghana"/>

Currently there is one Indian School in Ghana – The Delhi Public School (DPS) in [[Tema]] in the year 2010 heralded an era of quality education and learning aiming for excellence, by providing holistic, modern and comprehensive education right from class Nursery through [[Future|futuristic]] technology of teaching.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/> DPS Tema seeks to cater to the needs of the children of Ghana. DPS Tema, Ghana is affiliated to [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE) and [[International General Certificate of Secondary Education]] (IGCSE) and is run by [[Delhi Public School Society]], New Delhi registered under the Society's act having eminent educationists, jurists and renowned luminaries of India as its members.<ref name="Indian Association of Ghana"/>

==Economics==
Many Ghanaian Indians are wealthy individuals and well off. They are either independent [[Business person|business people]] with business branches all over Ghana, or employees of various local companies, such as [[financial services|economic services]] and [[Petroleum industry|petroleum]] companies. Some are also owners of Ghanaian [[hotel chains]], telecommunications and [[electronics]] companies etc.<ref name="Indian in Ghana"/> Major Indian companies and [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerates]] in Ghana include [[Tata Group]], [[Bharti Airtel]], [[Tech Mahindra]] and [[Bank of Baroda]]. Others work as doctors, medical technologists, and nurses in hospitals in Ghana.

==See also==
*[[Indian Association of Ghana]]
*[[Ghanaian people]]
*[[Ghana–India relations]]
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== Footnotes ==
{{notelist|notes=
{{efn|name=Akan|To gain [[Ghanaian nationality law|Ghanaian citizenship]] one is required to be able to speak and understand the [[Akan language]].}}
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110128212312/http://iaghana.com/ Indian Association of Ghana]}}

{{Indian diaspora}}
{{Ethnic groups of Ghana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Indian diaspora in Ghana]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Ghana]]
[[Category:Ghanaian people of Indian descent| ]]

Ghanaian Indian - Revision history

GregorioBigge0 at 14:14, 21 February 2026