President Lee Jae Myung, right, holds hands with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama ahead of their summit talks at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama and South Korea President Lee Jae-Myung held high-level discussions in Seoul on Wednesday aimed at strengthening cooperation between Ghana and South Korea in key areas including maritime security, climate action and digital innovation.
The talks took place at the South Korean presidential office during President Mahama’s ongoing working visit to the Asian nation.
At the end of the meeting, both sides signed several agreements intended to deepen bilateral collaboration, particularly in maritime security, climate change mitigation and emerging technologies.
A major agreement was a memorandum of understanding between the Korea Coast Guard and the Ghana Navy to enhance cooperation in maritime safety and security.
The arrangement provides for joint training programmes, educational exchanges and seminars aimed at strengthening maritime law-enforcement capacity. It also establishes a framework for intelligence sharing on transnational maritime crimes such as piracy, arms trafficking and drug smuggling, while encouraging cooperation in search-and-rescue operations involving distressed vessels, aircraft and personnel.
South Korean authorities said the agreement is expected to enhance stability in the Gulf of Guinea by improving the maritime security capabilities of the Ghana Navy and increasing protection for vessels and nationals operating in the region.
The Gulf of Guinea has long been regarded as one of the world’s piracy-prone maritime zones, an issue that has drawn attention from international shipping operators, including South Korean commercial fleets and energy carriers navigating the waters.
Beyond maritime security, the two governments also concluded a framework agreement on climate cooperation. The deal outlines collaboration on climate initiatives, scientific research and technology exchange, as well as the use of emissions-reduction mechanisms under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Officials in Seoul said the agreement will provide a legal basis for both countries to pursue joint climate action while supporting their respective nationally determined contributions under the global climate accord.
The two sides also signed an additional memorandum of understanding focused on cooperation in digital technology, innovation and emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence.
Symbolic elements reflecting maritime cooperation were also included in the gifts prepared for the Ghanaian leader during his visit.
Among the items presented to President Mahama was a traditional Korean folding screen depicting “Sugun Joryeondo,” a folk painting that portrays warships arranged in formation during a naval drill from the era of the Joseon dynasty.
President Mahama’s visits to South Korea forms part of broader efforts by both countries to strengthen economic cooperation and expand partnerships in strategic sectors such as maritime security, technology and climate action.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong