Ghana and South Korea have signed a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, marking a significant milestone in relations between the two countries.
The development was announced by Ghana’s Ambassador to South Korea, Kojo Choi, in a statement shared on Facebook, where he described the agreement as a historic achievement that reflects the growing partnership between Accra and Seoul.
According to the ambassador, the agreement was inspired by President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to South Korea in March, during which discussions focused on deepening cooperation and strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“For the first time in nearly five decades, Ghana and Korea have successfully concluded and signed a Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports,” Ambassador Choi stated.
He expressed optimism that discussions could eventually be extended to include holders of ordinary passports.
The signing of the agreement coincided with the Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where Ghana served as co-chair alongside South Korea in its capacity as Vice-Chair of the African Union.
Ambassador Choi described Ghana’s role at the meeting as a proud moment not only for the country but for the African continent.
He also praised Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for his role in securing the agreement, revealing that the minister had insisted on seeing the visa waiver arrangement finalised before attending the foreign ministers’ meeting.
According to Ambassador Choi, the minister’s determination and commitment accelerated negotiations and helped bring the agreement to fruition.
“He challenged all of us to work harder and move faster. His unwavering commitment transformed what seemed difficult into what is now a historic success,” the ambassador said.
He further acknowledged the contributions of staff at Ghana’s Embassy in Seoul and officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, whose efforts he said were instrumental in achieving the breakthrough.
The ambassador noted that the agreement represents a new chapter in Ghana–South Korea relations and expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand in the years ahead.
“The future of Ghana–Korea relations has never looked brighter,” he stated.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
