John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana is pursuing a visa waiver agreement with South Korea that would permit holders of diplomatic and official passports to travel between the two nations without the need for visas. The proposal was made during his visit to Seoul, where discussions were focused on strengthening cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries.
President Mahama delivered the remarks while on a five-day working visit to South Korea, where he met with the country’s president, Lee Jae Myung, to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration in areas such as technology, climate initiatives, maritime security and trade.
“We look forward to signing visa waiver agreement with Korea for diplomatic passports and official passports. This will make it easier for exchanges between our two countries,” the president said.
Visa waiver agreements enable travellers from participating countries to enter another country without first obtaining a traditional visa, typically for short-term visits. Under the proposed arrangement, the policy would apply to government officials and diplomats travelling between Ghana and South Korea.
Data from the Passport Index indicates that Ghana has already secured visa-waiver agreements with about 45 countries. These arrangements make travel easier for diplomats and government officials while also supporting stronger international engagement.
Should the agreement with South Korea be finalised, the country would join nations such as China, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Morocco and India, which already have reciprocal visa-free arrangements with Ghana for diplomatic and service passport holders.
In 2026, the Ghanaian passport is ranked 69th worldwide, reflecting gradual progress in visa accessibility and diplomatic travel opportunities for the West African country.
Agreements signed
After the discussions between the two leaders, representatives from both countries oversaw the signing of three cooperation agreements focusing on climate change, digital innovation and maritime security.
The agreements include a climate-change cooperation pact, a memorandum of understanding on technology and digital innovation, and a maritime safety and security deal between the Korea Coast Guard and the Ghana Navy.
President Lee expressed gratitude to the Ghana Navy for its efforts in safeguarding South Korean nationals and business interests in the Gulf of Guinea, a region that has faced persistent challenges related to piracy and maritime crime in recent years.
He added that the new maritime agreement would help strengthen joint initiatives aimed at maintaining security in the region.
Minerals and economic cooperation
Mahama also pointed to Ghana’s vast mineral wealth, including bauxite, manganese, gold, lithium and nickel, noting that the country is keen to partner with South Korea in developing these resources and expanding collaboration along mineral value chains.
Global demand for minerals such as lithium and nickel has grown significantly in recent years as countries invest in electric vehicles, battery production and clean-energy technologies, increasing the strategic importance of resource-rich African economies in global supply chains.
Economic relations between Ghana and South Korea have expanded steadily over the years. Korean companies including Samsung, LG Electronics, Hyundai and Kia have established a strong presence in Ghana’s consumer electronics and automotive sectors.
Trade between the two countries mainly involves Ghana exporting commodities such as cocoa and mineral resources, while importing machinery, vehicles and technology products from South Korea.
Development cooperation has also played a key role in the partnership. Through institutions such as the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, South Korea has supported projects in Ghana across sectors including agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and digital technology.
Long-standing relations
Diplomatic relations between Ghana and South Korea date back to 1977, with both countries maintaining embassies in each other’s capitals—Ghana in Seoul and South Korea in Accra.
During the visit, Mahama is also scheduled to meet Woo Won-shik, Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly, and interact with members of the Ghanaian community living in the country.
Other engagements on the president’s itinerary include attending a ship-naming ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and participating in an academic conferment ceremony at Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s leading universities.
The trip is expected to conclude with a meeting and dinner with South Korean business leaders aimed at promoting investment opportunities and further strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.