By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
South Korea is set to deepen its economic and development cooperation with Ghana, with plans to establish a Hyundai automotive manufacturing plant and a new university in Ghana.
The two countries are also pursuing partnerships in artificial intelligence, energy, and critical minerals.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this known in a statement following the 2026 Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Korea, which he co-chaired alongside his South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, Ghana and South Korea have strengthened collaboration across several sectors, including energy, agriculture, maritime affairs, education, shipbuilding, roads, and healthcare.
“This year, our two countries will open a new university in Ghana; establish a West Africa Hyundai Automotive Manufacturing Plant in Ghana, and launch new solar irrigation systems,” the minister reiterated.
The announcement signals a significant boost to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda, with the planned Hyundai facility expected to position the country as a key automotive manufacturing hub in the West African sub-region while creating employment opportunities and supporting technology transfer.
Beyond manufacturing, the two countries have agreed to expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, energy, and critical minerals, areas that have become increasingly important to Ghana’s economic transformation efforts.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, discussions at the meeting focused on forging a mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and South Korea, anchored on value addition, industrialisation, job creation, and improved returns from economic transactions.
He noted that African leaders are increasingly prioritising industrial development and employment generation for the continent’s youthful population, objectives that South Korea is well-positioned to support through its expertise in technology and manufacturing.
The minister also revealed that negotiations toward a visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Korea are progressing steadily. He indicated that arrangements covering diplomatic and service passport holders had already been secured, with discussions continuing toward extending the waiver to all categories of passports.
South Korea to establish Hyundai plant, open new university In addition, Mr. Ablakwa commended South Korea for supporting Ghana’s landmark resolution at the United Nations declaring the transatlantic enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.
Ghana and South Korea are expected to mark 50 years of formal diplomatic relations next year, a milestone both countries hope to use as a springboard for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and education.
