President John Dramani Mahama and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have held high-level talks in Seoul, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Ghana and South Korea in key areas including maritime security, climate action and digital innovation.

The meeting took place on Wednesday at the South Korean presidential office as part of President Mahama’s ongoing working visit to the Asian country.

At the end of the summit, both governments signed a number of agreements designed to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in maritime security, climate change mitigation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Maritime security cooperation

One of the key agreements was a memorandum of understanding between the Korea Coast Guard and the Ghana Navy aimed at strengthening collaboration in maritime safety and security.

The arrangement provides for joint training programmes, educational exchanges and seminars to enhance maritime law enforcement capacity. It also establishes a framework for sharing intelligence on transnational maritime crimes such as piracy, arms trafficking and drug smuggling.

The partnership will further support joint search-and-rescue operations involving distressed vessels, aircraft and personnel at sea.

South Korean officials said the agreement is expected to strengthen security in the Gulf of Guinea, a region that has long faced piracy challenges affecting international shipping routes.

The waters are frequently navigated by commercial fleets and energy carriers, including vessels linked to South Korean shipping companies.

In 2018, three South Korean nationals were kidnapped by pirates near Ghanaian waters, prompting South Korea to deploy the Cheonghae Unit from the Gulf of Aden as part of an emergency response.

Defence cooperation between the two countries dates back several years. In 2010, South Korea transferred a decommissioned Chamsuri-class patrol boat to Ghana to support the country’s maritime security operations.

Climate cooperation under Paris Agreement

Beyond maritime collaboration, the two countries also signed a framework agreement on climate cooperation linked to the Paris Agreement.

The arrangement outlines collaboration in climate initiatives, scientific research and technology exchange, while allowing both countries to pursue emissions reduction projects through international mechanisms under the global climate treaty.

Officials in Seoul explained that the agreement would provide a legal basis for both countries to work together on emissions reduction programmes and support their nationally determined contributions.

Under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, countries can cooperate by transferring emissions reduction outcomes known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes between participating states.

Partnership in digital technology and AI

The two governments also signed another memorandum of understanding covering cooperation in digital technology and innovation, including emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence.

The agreement is expected to encourage research collaboration, technological exchange and investment in digital infrastructure between Ghana and South Korea.

Symbolic gifts during the visit

Symbolism linked to maritime cooperation also featured in the gifts presented to President Mahama during his visit.

Among them was a traditional Korean folding screen depicting “Sugun Joryeondo,” a historic painting showing warships arranged in formation during a naval drill in the Joseon dynasty.

South Korean officials said the artwork symbolised the maritime focus of the visit, especially President Mahama’s participation in a ship-naming ceremony.

The Ghanaian leader is also expected to travel to Ulsan to attend the naming ceremony of a vessel at the shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The vessel is believed to be intended for transporting liquefied petroleum gas supplies to Ghana.

President Mahama was also presented with a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone as a symbol of South Korea’s technological capability and industrial competitiveness.

Adding a cultural touch, officials also included Ghana Chocolate, a popular product manufactured by Lotte, among the gifts prepared for the visiting leader. The chocolate is widely recognised in South Korea and is produced largely from cocoa beans sourced from Ghana.

Specially prepared chocolates bearing the national flags of both countries and President Mahama’s name were also placed at his accommodation as part of the official reception.

President Mahama’s visit forms part of broader efforts by Ghana and South Korea to expand cooperation in strategic sectors including maritime security, technology development and climate action.