The appointment of Kojo Choi as Ghana’s new Ambassador to the Republic of Korea has captured widespread admiration, as his remarkable life story continues to inspire many across the nation and beyond.
Following his swearing-in ceremony on October 1, Ambassador Choi shared a heartfelt reflection on his journey from humble beginnings to representing Ghana on the global stage.
In an emotional Facebook post, he credited Ghana for shaping his destiny and providing him with the opportunities that defined his path.
“Ghana raised me. Ghana educated me. Ghana shaped me,” he wrote, describing his appointment as a symbolic homecoming that affirmed his deep-rooted connection to the country.
Choi revealed that his educational journey began at SOS College, founded by Mrs. Margaret Nkrumah, where he received a full scholarship through the SOS Foundation. Despite not making the final admission list initially, Mrs. Nkrumah’s faith in his potential changed his life forever.
Her decision enabled him to complete the Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma, laying a strong academic foundation that paved the way for his future success.
Choi later studied at the University of Ghana, where financial hardship nearly derailed his education. He recalled how Mr. Teddy Konu, then Registrar of the university, intervened to ensure he could continue.
“He would call the finance office to let me pay a small portion of the fees and continue my studies until I could gather more,” Choi recounted. “Thanks to his support and persistence, I graduated from Legon.”
That experience became a defining moment in his life.
“I made a decision in my heart — I will stay in Ghana. I will become one with this nation and live my life here,” he reflected, calling it the moment he truly became Ghanaian at heart.
During his commissioning ceremony, Ambassador Choi was visibly emotional as he delivered his Vote of Allegiance, surrounded by those who had supported his journey, including Mrs. Nkrumah and Mr. Konu, who stood in for his parents.
He expressed deep gratitude, saying,
“I had to fight back tears as I uttered the words, realizing how far I had come — from a struggling student to a servant of Ghana, entrusted with representing the nation abroad.”
As Ghana’s new envoy to South Korea, Ambassador Kojo Choi aims to deepen bilateral relations in trade, culture, and education. He says his mission is rooted in gratitude and service — a commitment to honour Ghana, the nation that nurtured and embraced him.
“I carry the identity of a son of Ghana who has been nurtured by her grace,” he affirmed, pledging to serve in a way that inspires future generations.
