By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, April 26, GNA – The Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s development efforts in education, health, youth empowerment, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Mr Dong Hyune Lee, Country Director, KOICA, speaking at the 2026 World Friends Korea (WFK) Host Organisations Conference in Accra, emphasised the importance of investing in people and institutions for sustainable development.
The conference, held on the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships Through Cultural Collaboration,” provided a platform for the stakeholders to reflect on progress made, strengthen commitments, and promote cultural exchange.
Mr Hyune Lee said the Agency’s WFK Volunteer Programme had helped strengthen the education system, enhance service delivery at primary and secondary levels, and improved community-based development outcomes in Ghana.
The WFK Volunteer Programme is focused on the deployment of skilled volunteers to schools, health facilities, and public institutions across the country.
The Country Director noted that the fourth batch of the KOICA Team Volunteer Programme, comprising 13 teams, would be dispatched on April 28, 2026.
“This programme represents a total investment of approximately $1.2 million, fully funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA.
“In the Central Region, the KOICA Youth Midterm Volunteer Programme for the period 2026–2027 has been designed as a strategic linkage to KOICA’s Education Project on STEM, in collaboration with the Central Regional Education Directorate.
“As part of this initiative, 17 youth volunteers were successfully deployed in April 2026 to support the programme’s implementation,” he stated.
Key components of the programme include ICT and digital literacy education, promotion of educational equity, teacher capacity building, and effective ICT laboratory management.
Mr Hyune Lee urged partners to support the KOICA WFK Volunteers to help achieve stated objectives and build cross-cultural relationships.
Dr Juliette Dufie Otami, Central Regional Director of Education, said the deployment of skilled volunteers had contributed to improving student engagement and academic outcomes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM education.
She commended the governments of Korea and Ghana for initiatives that continued to transform lives, strengthen institutions and deepen the collaboration between both nations.
“Korea’s focus on underserved and rural communities has contributed significantly to promoting educational equity by extending support to areas where it is most needed,” she said.
“The programme helps bridge disparities and ensures that no learner is left behind.”
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe