The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, Woo Won-shik, has praised Ghana’s strong democratic credentials during a meeting with the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, as part of the Ghanaian leader’s official visit to South Korea.
Speaking during bilateral discussions at the Korean Parliament, Speaker Woo Won-shik described Ghana as a highly democratic nation, citing its record of peaceful political transitions.
“Mr. President, I understand you first became President back in 2012. Although you were not elected in one instance, you were later re-elected to the office.
“I see that Ghana has maintained a very peaceful transfer of power over the years, which means Ghana is a highly democratic nation,” he said.
The Speaker also noted that global democratic assessments place Ghana and South Korea at similar levels.
“I also take note that, according to Freedom House, the democracy index for both countries is about the same. This really puts us in a very special position where we are like friends,” he added.
Korea’s Experience in Defending Democracy
Reflecting on recent political developments in South Korea, the Speaker disclosed that the country had faced an attempted military coup, but the nation’s democratic institutions and citizens stood firm in defence of constitutional rule.
“There was an attempt at a military coup d’état in Korea. Thankfully, because of the collective efforts of the Korean people who defended the National Assembly, and also the members of the National Assembly who gathered in the middle of the night to lift the martial law, we managed to restore democracy in Korea,” he said.
According to him, the successful defence of democratic governance has been widely acknowledged internationally.
“We are very proud of this achievement, and we believe it has been recognised by many countries across the world,” he stated, adding that meeting a leader from another strong democracy like Ghana made the engagement particularly meaningful.
Democracy as a Foundation for Development
Speaker Woo Won-shik also commended President Mahama’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Africa.
He recalled the African Political Party Summit hosted by President Mahama last August under the theme “From Politics to Prosperity.”
“I took time to look at the theme and saw that it clearly reflects your strong conviction that democracy is essential for national development,” he said.
The Speaker noted that Ghana’s democratic leadership brings the country closer to South Korea and expressed hope that both nations would deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Congratulations on Honorary Doctorate
Speaker Woo Won-shik also congratulated President Mahama for being conferred an honorary doctorate earlier in the day by Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s leading universities.
“This morning you were conferred an honorary doctorate degree by Yonsei University, which is also my alma mater. So now we share an academic connection as well, and that makes me feel very pleased,” he said.
Shared Commitment to Climate Action
The Korean Speaker further welcomed the climate cooperation agreement signed between Ghana and South Korea during President Mahama’s earlier summit meeting with Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
“Climate change is an issue very close to my heart. In fact, I believe it is not merely climate change but a climate crisis, and it is very important for us to take decisive action,” he said.
He revealed that one of his first initiatives as Speaker was to establish a Special Committee on Climate Change within the Korean Parliament to advance climate-related legislative action.
“It warms my heart to see that you also share these concerns and values regarding the climate,” he told President Mahama.
Commendation for Ghana’s Economic Recovery
Speaker Woo Won-shik also acknowledged Ghana’s recent economic challenges, including the country’s 2022 external debt default and subsequent programme with the International Monetary Fund.
“I understand that Ghana defaulted on its external debt in 2022 and had to implement an IMF programme, which brought difficult challenges,” he noted.
However, he praised President Mahama’s leadership in stabilising the economy.
“After you assumed office, you managed to stabilise the economy by bringing inflation down significantly and working to stabilise the currency. This leadership is inspiring to us,” he said.
The Speaker compared Ghana’s recovery efforts with South Korea’s own experience during the Asian Financial Crisis, when the country also underwent an IMF-supported reform programme.
He credited the late Korean President Kim Dae-jung for guiding South Korea through that difficult period.
“We believe such swift recovery is a testament to the strength of leadership, and I am very honoured to meet such a leader today,” he added.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
