President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties with South Korea during a bilateral meeting with Woo Won-shik in Seoul.
The meeting took place as part of President Mahama’s five-day working visit to South Korea, aimed at expanding diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries.
During the discussions, President Mahama highlighted the strong democratic values shared by Ghana and South Korea, noting that the two nations will mark 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. He said Ghana remained proud of its democratic tradition, particularly at a time when several countries in the West African sub-region have experienced political instability.
“We’re proud of our democratic traditions, especially in a sub-region where democracy is facing setbacks. Ghana continues to stand as a beacon of democracy,” the President said.
President Mahama also acknowledged the role of South Korea’s Parliament during recent political challenges in the country, praising Speaker Woo for helping to maintain stability and demonstrating the strength of democratic institutions.
The talks also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation. The President disclosed that earlier meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung had resulted in the signing of three key Memoranda of Understanding covering climate change cooperation, maritime safety, and digital innovation.
According to President Mahama, collaboration in maritime safety is particularly important because both countries have strong maritime interests, with Ghana seeking to expand its blue economy.
He added that South Korea’s expertise in digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and innovation would be valuable to Ghana as it works to advance its technology and knowledge sectors.
For his part, Speaker Woo Won-shik commended Ghana for its stable democratic governance and peaceful transfers of power over the years.
He also acknowledged Ghana’s recent economic challenges, including its debt default and the subsequent programme with the International Monetary Fund, but praised President Mahama’s leadership in stabilising the economy and reducing inflation.
Speaker Woo noted that South Korea had faced similar economic difficulties during the Asian Financial Crisis, when it also worked with the IMF to restore stability.
The meeting underscored the growing partnership between Ghana and South Korea, with both leaders expressing optimism that the newly signed agreements and ongoing diplomatic engagement will further deepen cooperation between the two countries.
