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The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Kyongsig Park, has described his country’s longstanding relationship with Ghana as one founded on genuine friendship with no strings attached.
He said that the Korean government’s investment in the country was driven by the mutual friendship between the two nations, adding that they were not in the business of demanding favours from Ghana in exchange for investments.
Mr Park said their investments in Ghana were a gratuity for the immense support it enjoyed from the international community during its recovery from the Korean War.
“So, we come here as a friend and provide Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a friend. It is not a transactional thing. Our diplomatic relations and cooperation in the international forum are based on our friendship,” he said.
The ambassador further stated that the two countries shared similar political experiences, including colonisation and military takeovers before their final transition to a democratic system.
As a result, they have maintained a friendly relationship and supported each other in the international arena.
He said this in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
Mr Park said approximately $43 million had been allocated for ODA projects across various sectors including health, education, agriculture and environment in the country.
He added that his government and Ghana signed an agreement last year to provide $2 billion concessionary loans through the Korean Exim Bank to support Ghana's development programmes.
“We are focusing on Ghana because the country is very safe and stable. We share the same values, such as democracy and market economy. That is why Ghana is usually called the beacon of democracy in Africa.
‘’We deeply respect that, especially considering the country had a peaceful election last December. It was very impressive to me,” the ambassador said.
Mr Park said the two countries have maintained steady trade relations of over $200 million U.S. dollars annually. However, Korea’s exports to Ghana are greater than Ghana's exports to Korea.
He said that the Korean government, through the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), had invited many Ghanaian businesses to various trade fairs in Korea.
“KOTRA has also provided information about products the Ghanaian side can import and gives good explanations about the economic situation in Ghana to the Korean businessmen who have good intentions of investing in Ghana.
“With this effort, I believe our trade and investment will increase in the future,” Mr Park said.
The ambassador added that as part of his country’s broader interests in the development of Africa and its intra-trade relations, he had also offered support to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and “this year, we will provide $4.5 million to AfCFTA for the projects.”
