By Kodjo Adams, GNA
Accra, Aug. 4, GNA – The Republic of Korea has committed US$34 million to a youth leadership programme aimed at strengthening public governance, policy development and artificial intelligence-driven digital government innovation in Africa.
The 2026 Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Youth Leadership Programme, hosted by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), has brought together 200 young leaders from Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Cameroon for training from August 2 to 29.
Mr Park Kyongsig, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ghana, urged the participants to use the knowledge acquired through the programme to become agents of transformation and promote development in their respective countries.
“The leader who leads the country should show the right way to their people. So when I see your eyes, I realise that you are the future leaders of your country,” he said at the opening ceremony in Accra.
He urged the participants to place national development above personal interests and demonstrate leadership that would contribute to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
Drawing on Korea’s development experience, Mr Park Kyongsig said effective leadership had been central to the country’s economic progress despite limited natural resources.
“Korea was colonised for 35 years by Japan. We achieved independence in 1945, the same experience for most of the African countries.
“We do not have any gold, but Ghana has it in abundance. If you dig underground, you can get the gold everywhere in Ghana.
“Some of the foreigners are in Ghana mining gold illegally because of the abundance of the natural resources.
“There is oil, gas and other natural resources in parts of Africa, but yet they are poor because of weak leadership,” he said.
Mr Park added: “We did not have anything, and just after the Korean War, our Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (GDP) was lower than Ghana.
“Now our GDP is 10 times more than Ghana due to good leadership.”
Mr Park encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the lessons to help change the development trajectory of their countries.
Mr Sangback Lee, Director of the Capacity Enhancement Programme at KOICA, said the programme comprised three phases: online training, in-country sessions at GIMPA and a fully funded 14-day study visit to the Republic of Korea for the top-performing participants.
He said the programme was designed to promote cross-cultural learning, strengthen professional networks and facilitate the exchange of ideas among emerging leaders.
Dr Evans Aggrey Darkoh, Head of the Ghana Civil Service, expressed confidence that participants would acquire knowledge to improve public sector performance.
“As you embark on this important journey, we are confident that you will serve as outstanding Ambassadors, demonstrating the values of professionalism, integrity, accountability, excellence, and innovation,” he said.
Professor Samuel K. Bonsu, Rector of GIMPA, commended the Government of the Republic of Korea for supporting leadership and governance development and encouraged participants to build professional networks and share knowledge for Africa’s development.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Kodjo Adams [email protected]