President John Dramani Mahama has called for a genuine partnership between Africa and South Korea.
He emphasized that the relationship should be built on equality, mutual respect, and shared principles of excellence and truth, rather than one of benefactor and beneficiary.
Speaking at Yonsei University in Seoul on Friday March 13, 2026, President Mahama highlighted the core principles that unite Ghana and Korea.
“President Yoon, members of the Board of Trustees, Excellencies, I wish to focus my remarks today on two principles that I believe define our countries individually and also unite us in partnership. These principles are excellence and truth,” he said.
He recalled that 1957 was a defining year for both nations. “In 1957, Ghana declared its independence from colonial rule, becoming the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to do so. During that same year, South Korea was undertaking a similar effort to define and showcase its national and cultural identity after the Korean War,” he said.
President Mahama noted that although the two countries had similar GDPs at the time, their development paths have been distinct.
“What has defined both our journeys is a commitment to excellence and humility in the face of truth,” he said, citing the dedicated service of citizens such as Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations.
Korea’s transformation
“Through strategic vision, investment in education, technological innovation, and unwavering discipline, Korea has transformed itself from a war-torn nation into one of the world’s leading economies,” President Mahama said.
He added that Korean brands like Samsung, Hyundai, Kia, and LG now symbolize global innovation and quality, while Korean culture, from kimchi to K-pop, has gained worldwide recognition.
Ghana’s cultural identity
President Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s global influence. “Ghana has been successful in expressing its cultural identity. Our citizens in the diaspora have been faithful ambassadors. The world is familiar with our democratic symbols, kente cloth, traditional naming systems, shea butter, cocoa, and Ghana Jollof Rice,” he said.
He added that Ghanaian music genres such as Highlife, Hiplife, and Afrobeats are gaining international recognition and even inspiring collaborations with Hip-pop artists.
Partnership between Africa and Korea
Turning to the broader Africa–Korea relationship, President Mahama emphasized that both continents have lessons to offer each other.
“These two principles, excellence and truth, which have brought our journeys from parallel paths to this point of intersection must guide us into the unknown future of this rapidly changing world. Just as Korea has lessons for Ghana, Ghana and Africa also have much to offer Korea,” he said.
He stressed that the partnership is one of equals. “This is not a relationship of benefactor and beneficiary, but one of genuine partnership between equals, each bringing unique strengths to the table,” President Mahama added.
