Seoul – Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to address the South Korean National Assembly next month, a first for an African head of state, following a personal request to the Speaker of the Assembly, according to remarks made by Ghanaian Ambassador to South Korea, Kwabena Osei-Danso, on Tuesday.
Addressing a forum at the National Assembly, Ambassador Osei-Danso emphasized the potential for increased collaboration between Ghana and South Korea, framing economic partnership as a relationship “not about numbers, but about people.” He highlighted Ghana’s young population – with 57% under the age of 25 and a median age of 20 – as a significant consumer base and source of innovation.
Osei-Danso also underscored Ghana’s rich natural resources, noting its position as Africa’s leading gold producer and its substantial reserves of minerals critical to future industries, including nickel, lithium, and bauxite. He subtly contrasted this with past exploitative practices, stating that Ghana’s experience with previous development partnerships had led to a desire for “proper and just” collaborations, a key reason, he said, for President Mahama’s interest in strengthening ties with South Korea.
The ambassador revealed that President Mahama personally uses a Hyundai Genesis as his official vehicle and that his decision to appoint the first Korean-descendant ambassador to South Korea demonstrated his high regard for the country. He formally requested the National Assembly’s support for Mahama’s address during a meeting with the Speaker’s office.
Osei-Danso further proposed that South Korea consider Ghana as a pilot country for expanding its E-2 visa program for English language instructors, currently limited to citizens of seven countries, and its Employment Permit System (EPS). He also noted Ghana’s skilled welding workforce, suggesting they could address labor shortages in South Korea’s shipbuilding industry, particularly in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, where businesses are reportedly struggling to find qualified welders even at a daily rate of 450,000 won.
The ambassador also highlighted the ongoing competition to construct the headquarters for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with Ghana as the host nation. He suggested that South Korean involvement in the project would create a “monumental” landmark, referencing China’s construction of the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lawmakers present at the forum, including Kim Dae-sik of the People Power Party, expressed support for exploring the possibility of recruiting Ghanaian welders, acknowledging the difficulties faced by South Korean shipbuilders. Osei-Danso concluded by asserting that Africa represents “not Korea’s past, but its future,” advocating for a partnership built on people, trust, and shared values.
The ambassador, who immigrated to Ghana with his missionary father at age 14 before returning to Korea last year, delivered his remarks fluently in Korean, incorporating a lighthearted reference to the Korean alphabet, stating that King Sejong would have considered “Ghana-da” to be Korea’s best friend.
