On June 21st, the KOICA Alumni Association of Ghana (KAAG), in collaboration with KOICA Ghana, hosted an insightful seminar themed “KOREA-GHANA Partnership: The Impact of the Capacity Improvement for Tomorrow (CIAT) Scholarship Program in Public Service Delivery in Ghana.” This seminar spotlighted the enduring and transformative partnership between Korea and Ghana, with a focus on the impact of KOICA’s CIAT scholarship program on Ghana’s public service sector.
Three Decades of Capacity Building
For over 30 years, KOICA has played a pivotal role in developing human capital in Ghana by empowering 1,587 Ghanaian public officials through CIAT programs. These include capacity-building workshops, specialized training, and advanced degrees—Master’s and PhD programs—in South Korea. This long-standing investment has broadened participants’ horizons and equipped them with specialized skills and knowledge critical for promoting sustainable development, driving policy reform, and improving governance across Ghana’s public sector. The seminar provided a valuable platform to assess how these experiences and knowledge gained in Korea are being applied to effect meaningful change in Ghana.
Exploring Development Pathways and Public Sector Reforms
One of the seminar’s key presentations examined Korea’s remarkable development journey, focusing on the economic strategies that spurred rapid progress. A second presentation drew comparisons between public sector reforms undertaken in Ghana and South Korea from the 1980s to the present, exploring the outcomes achieved and lessons learned that could guide further reforms in Ghana’s public sector. Central to Korea’s transformation story were strong political commitment, robust citizen support, and a profound sense of patriotism—factors that were highlighted as essential for driving national development.
A Call for Mindset Shifts and Continued Collaboration
Panel discussions underscored a recurring theme: the importance of a mindset shift among citizens to foster national growth. Both the seminar’s speakers and attendees emphasized that sustainable change requires not only structural reforms but also a collective commitment to shared national values and goals. The exchange of ideas and perspectives among participants highlighted the potential of the Korea-Ghana partnership to inspire impactful public service innovations and reinforce the bonds between both nations.
Your support continues to enrich our professional lives, empowering Ghanaian public officials to create a brighter future for Ghana through progressive public service reforms.
Thank you to KOICA and our Korean friends—Kamsahamnida!
