As Ghana and South Korea prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Kyongsig Park, says the milestone presents an opportunity for the two countries to build an even stronger and more future-oriented partnership.
Ghana and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1977 and, over the past five decades, the two countries have continued to explore new ways of deepening their friendship for the benefit of their citizens.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times in an interview, Mr Park said he was optimistic about the future of the relationship and the opportunities for both countries to strengthen collaboration in areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), education, trade and investment, healthcare and governance.
The Korean envoy also highlighted socially beneficial projects implemented by the Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH).
Mr Park said the two countries needed to open a new chapter of friendship based on shared growth and prosperity.
“Building on the friendship and trust of the past 50 years, we look forward to announcing even broader and deeper partnership based on shared growth and mutual benefit,” he said.
Asked what the Korean government sought to do to strengthen its relationship with Ghana after five decades, Mr Park said Korea was seeking to build an increasingly practical, mutually beneficial and future-oriented partnership with Ghana.
“As we approach the 50th anniversary celebration, Korea seeks to build an increasingly practical, mutually beneficial and future-oriented partnership with Ghana,” he said.
Mr Park said development cooperation would remain an important pillar of the partnership between the two countries.
He said Ghana had been one of Korea’s priority Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) partners since 2010, with cooperation spanning education, health, agriculture, digital technology and infrastructure.
He noted that approximately $32 million had been allocated by the Korean government for ODA projects in Ghana this year alone.
Mr Park also described people-to-people exchanges as mutually beneficial.
He noted that Ghana had hosted its first-ever Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) in July this year, describing the development as another meaningful step towards strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
On activities to mark the 50th anniversary, Mr Park said a series of cultural and public diplomacy programmes would be organised next year, including Taekwondo performances and film-related events.
Turning his attention to new areas of cooperation, the Korean Ambassador mentioned climate change and green growth, value addition, processing and industrial development, maritime security, and transport and infrastructure.
On transport and infrastructure, Mr Park announced that Korea was supporting the development of a master plan for Ghana’s expressway network, drawing on Korea’s infrastructure expertise and experience.
He explained that the Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Climate Change, which was officially signed during President John Mahama’s visit to Korea in March, was expected, once in force, to facilitate climate-related projects involving Korean companies in Ghana.
According to him, the agreement would contribute to climate action as well as create jobs and new economic opportunities.
Mr Park said Ghana’s abundant natural resources, combined with Korea’s advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities, provided opportunities for the two countries to explore cooperation in value addition, processing and industrial development.
“We hope the two countries can explore cooperation that promotes value addition, processing and industrial development,” he said.
Mr Park also commended Ghana for its cooperation in protecting Korean nationals and vessels in the Gulf of Guinea.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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