Visa Waiver, Climate Deal: Kojo Choi reviews first year in office

Ghana’s Ambassador to South Korea, Kojo Choi, has highlighted key diplomatic achievements during his first year in office, including a visa-waiver arrangement for Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders and a climate change agreement between the two countries.

Choi, in a Facebook post on Sunday, October 11, 2026, said his first year in Korea had been focused on advancing Ghana’s interests, strengthening bilateral relations and creating opportunities for Ghanaians.

Meet Kojo Choi Ghana’s Ambassador-designate to South Korea

Reflecting on his time in office, the Ambassador said President John Dramani Mahama’s state visit to South Korea helped advance important issues that had remained unresolved for more than a decade.

He disclosed that Ghana had secured a visa-waiver arrangement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, while efforts were ongoing to improve travel opportunities for ordinary Ghanaian passport holders.

Choi also said the embassy was working with Korean labour, justice and immigration authorities to explore opportunities for Ghanaian workers to access the Korean labour market.

On climate cooperation, he said the Ghana-Korea Climate Change Agreement had been achieved, paving the way for potential projects, technology transfer and investment once the ratification process is completed.

“If you would ask me what I achieved in my 1 year in Korea, my answer would be, ‘It was about putting Ghana where Ghana belongs: At The Table,’” he wrote.

The Ambassador further highlighted Ghana’s participation in major diplomatic engagements, including the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Korea-Africa Finance Ministers’ Conference in Seoul.

He also noted that South Korea supported Ghana’s resolution at the United Nations on the historical injustice of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

According to Choi, the embassy has been working to deepen cooperation in agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, investment, trade and tourism.

He added that more Korean institutions and companies were exploring opportunities in Ghana, while educational exchanges and development cooperation between the two countries continued to expand.

Beyond diplomatic and economic relations, Choi said strengthening ties with Ghanaians living in South Korea had been a major part of his first year.

He noted that the embassy had revived Ghana’s National Day celebration after almost eight years, organised its first Joint Worship and Thanksgiving Service, and brought back the Ambassador’s Town Hall Meeting.

He also recalled attending the 30th anniversary celebration of GHANASKO in Paju, where he joined more than 400 Ghanaians.

Looking ahead, Choi said his second year would focus on turning diplomatic engagements into tangible benefits, including increased investment, jobs, trade, technology transfer and educational opportunities.

“The first year was about opening doors, rebuilding relationships, raising Ghana’s visibility and creating platforms. The second year must be about walking through those doors,” he wrote.

He said he would travel more frequently between Ghana and South Korea to connect opportunities identified in Korea with institutions and businesses in Ghana.

Choi expressed gratitude to President Mahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, embassy staff, Ghanaian residents in Korea and Korean partners for their support during his first year.

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NA/VPO