Ghana and South Korea have reaffirmed their shared commitment to addressing climate change through a structured partnership focused on policy coordination, technical cooperation, and sustainable development. This renewed engagement followed a courtesy and working visit by Ghana’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, to the South Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Park Kyongsig, at the Korean Embassy in Accra.
The visit introduced the Ambassador to Ghana’s newly created Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability. Minister Issifu used the occasion to outline Ghana’s current climate priorities and institutional reforms aimed at integrating environmental responsibility into the core of national governance. These reforms include the installation of rooftop solar energy systems across public institutions to reduce the strain on the national power grid, the development of a centralized Climate and Sustainability Hub to house climate data, training programs, and research, and the establishment of Climate and Sustainability Units across all government ministries to ensure alignment between national climate goals and public sector planning.
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In response, Ambassador Kyongsig expressed South Korea’s interest in expanding technical collaboration with Ghana in areas such as carbon trading, clean cooking solutions, and climate-smart infrastructure. He acknowledged Ghana’s proactive efforts and emphasized Korea’s readiness to provide support through expertise sharing, training programs, and access to technology. He further proposed that the two countries concentrate their collaboration in areas including green growth planning, institutional capacity building, and climate finance strategy. The Ambassador also highlighted South Korea’s advancements in renewable energy, electric transport, and land restoration, offering to extend technical knowledge through exchange programs and scholarships for Ghanaian professionals working in the climate and sustainability sectors.
Both parties agreed to pursue a set of focused actions to translate the discussions into measurable outcomes. Among the proposals discussed were plans for joint projects in clean energy, afforestation, and sustainable agriculture. The Minister expressed particular interest in deepening institutional cooperation and requested South Korea’s support in training government staff to strengthen climate-related decision-making.
A proposal was also made by the Minister to host a Ghana–Korea Climate Business Forum, intended to create a space for Korean private sector actors to explore investment opportunities in Ghana’s emerging green economy. Ambassador Kyongsig welcomed the idea and pledged the embassy’s assistance in facilitating connections between Korean businesses and Ghanaian institutions.
Beyond technical and economic cooperation, the Minister emphasized the role of governance and cultural institutions in shaping public attitudes toward sustainability. He noted that his office would continue working with the Attorney General’s department to assess the legal frameworks needed to support Ghana’s climate commitments, and he encouraged greater integration of climate thinking across government policies and community structures.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing interest in maintaining an active and open channel of communication. Ghana’s Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability committed to providing detailed proposals for collaborative projects, while the Korean Embassy will continue to notify the Ministry of upcoming training and partnership opportunities.
This engagement signals a practical step forward in climate diplomacy between the two countries. It moves beyond general expressions of solidarity toward specific cooperation in skills development, infrastructure, and institutional reform. As global climate challenges become more complex, partnerships grounded in mutual interest and technical exchange—such as the one forming between Ghana and South Korea—will be essential in building resilient, climate-aware economies across Africa.
