Ghana had received Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the government of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Partnership for Innovation for Agriculture (KOPIA), and Korea Foundation for Internation­al Healthcare (KOFIH) over the past years.

However, that alone, according to the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Park Kyongsig, could not help Ghana achieve socio-eco­nomic development, hence, the need for university students to shoulder part of the responsibil­ity towards rapid socio-economic development of the country.

Mr Kyongsig was speaking at the University of Ghana last Friday, where the Embassy of the Repub­lic of Korea organised activities to mark this year’s Korea Week celebration.

“Although we provide ODA, we cannot achieve economic develop­ment of Ghana as a foreigner. The job of achieving that goal (devel­opment) is in your hands right now,” Mr Kyongsig said.

“You should do something to achieve the development of your country. You are privileged, and you have the responsibility to help the country to achieve economic development,” he added.

The Ambassador also highlight­ed the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) programme, describing it as a “life-changing opportunity” for students.

According to him, the schol­arship, which was a form of development assistance, though “very competitive”, offered equal opportunities to all applicants.

Similarly, Country Directors of KOICA, KOPIA, and KOFIH took turns to deliver presentations on their operations in the country.

Sharing his experience of studying in Korea, an alumnus of the GKS programme, Professor Abdul-Rahman Ahmed, described the country as “a structured society” with an exciting learning environment.

Held annually, the Korea Week Celebration exhibits Korean cul­tures across various dimensions, while acknowledging the bilateral ties between Ghana and Korea.

Some activities held to mark the celebration of the week on Friday and Saturday were Korean drama, quiz on Korea, talk on ODA, Ko­rea pop contest, where contestants sang and danced to Korean pop songs, and a cultural exchange.

At the end of the quiz on Korea, which tested the knowledge of Ghanaian contestants on the history and culture of Korea, Ms Josephine Naa Adorkor Acquaye, a graduate of the university, emerged the winner, while Ms Boafo Deb­orah Ohenewaa and Mr Derick Nana Osei emerged first and sec­ond runner-ups respectively.

For emerging the winner of the quiz, Miss Josephine would be going on a two-week fully paid trip to the Republic of Korea by the Embassy of Korea in Ghana.

Also, Miss Keziah Sarpong, Miss Dahlia Taekyiwaa, and Mr Joel Amanor emerged as second runner-up, first runner-up, and winner of the Korean pop contest respectively, which took place on Saturday.