Ghana and South Korea Boost Maritime Security Ties

South Korea and Ghana agreed to expand cooperation across climate policy, digital technology and maritime security following summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and President John Mahama, signaling growing strategic ties between Seoul and West Africa.

The leaders met on Wednesday and witnessed the signing of three agreements, including a climate change cooperation accord, a technology and digital innovation memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a maritime safety and security MOU between the Korea Coast Guard and the Ghana Navy.

The summit underscored the increasing importance of maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, one of the world’s most strategically significant shipping corridors.

Lee expressed appreciation for Ghana’s naval efforts in protecting South Korean citizens and vessels operating in the region.

The maritime agreement focuses on strengthening coordination between the Korea Coast Guard and the Ghana Navy to improve safety and policing operations in regional waters.

The Gulf of Guinea has long faced security challenges, including piracy, maritime crime and attacks on commercial shipping. Lee said Ghana’s naval forces had played an important role in safeguarding South Korean nationals operating in the area.

The new agreement aims to deepen cooperation in maritime surveillance, safety coordination and enforcement activities.

By expanding cooperation between maritime authorities, both governments hope to improve security conditions along one of Africa’s most important coastal trade routes.

In addition to maritime security, the two countries signed a climate cooperation agreement and a technology partnership focused on digital innovation.

The climate accord aims to strengthen collaboration on climate change mitigation and environmental policy.

Meanwhile, the technology MOU focuses on digital innovation, which could include cooperation in research, technology development and digital infrastructure.

Both leaders also discussed expanding cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, education, economic security and culture, according to officials familiar with the summit discussions.

President Mahama emphasized Ghana’s role as a major resource producer and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the mining sector.

Ghana possesses significant reserves of bauxite, manganese, gold, lithium and nickel, minerals that are increasingly important for global manufacturing and energy technologies.

Mahama said Ghana hopes to partner with South Korea to jointly explore these resources and strengthen collaboration along the mineral value chain. Such cooperation could include investment in extraction, processing and technology applications linked to the resources.

The discussion reflects growing international interest in securing access to critical minerals, which are vital for batteries, electronics and renewable energy technologies.