Ghana and South Korea are working together on development projects, focusing on infrastructure, health systems, and boosting local economies.
The renewed engagement emerged during high-level talks between officials of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), where both sides reviewed existing programmes and explored opportunities to broaden collaboration in sectors with strong multiplier effects on economic development.
Chairman of the NDPC, Nii Moi Thompson, underscored the importance of learning from South Korea’s development experience, pointing to the country’s emphasis on strong institutions, applied research and efficient systems rather than sheer spending. He noted that Ghana’s development challenges increasingly require structural and institutional solutions that translate investment into measurable outcomes.
“South Korea’s experience shows clearly that development is not only about pouring money into projects. It is about strong institutions, efficient systems and deliberate investments in knowledge and infrastructure that support local economic activity,” he said.
A major area identified for potential collaboration is rail transport research and development. Thompson highlighted South Korea’s Railway Research Institute as a model Ghana could learn from as it explores rail-based solutions to support industrialisation, reduce logistics costs and improve regional connectivity. He noted that research-driven infrastructure planning could help ensure transport investments directly support local industries and economic clusters.
On the health front, the NDPC Chair expressed concern over Ghana’s rising maternal mortality figures despite increased public expenditure, arguing that the trend reflects systemic inefficiencies rather than funding shortfalls. He called for a fundamental re-engineering of institutional processes within the health delivery system, particularly the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme, before additional resources are committed.
According to Dr. Thompson, improving coordination, accountability and workflow efficiency is critical if public spending is to deliver better health outcomes and value for money.
Representing KOICA, Ms. Boyeon Choe reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development agenda, particularly initiatives that demonstrate tangible impact at the community level. She noted that KOICA remains open to expanding or scaling up interventions that have proven effective.
“Our experience has shown that when projects are well-designed and grounded in local needs, they can deliver strong results. Where current projects are successful, we are open to exploring a second phase or scaling up infrastructure support,” she said.
Ms. Choe also disclosed plans to roll out KOICA’s Local Economic Development Project, which will focus on strengthening agribusiness value chains to support job creation, value addition and inclusive growth. The initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader push to stimulate local economies and reduce regional disparities.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to partnerships that prioritise efficiency, sustainability and real economic impact, reflecting a shift toward development cooperation that is driven by institutional strength and long-term outcomes rather than short-term inputs.
