Missionary Work in Ghana Following His Parents
Applied for Citizenship in 1999, Became a Ghanaian Citizen in 2015
Over 20 Years of Business Experience in Telecommunications and Fintech
Served as Korean Interpreter for Former Presidents... Deputy Head of Delegation at PyeongChang as Well
President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo after receiving credentials from Kojo Choi, the new Ambassador of Ghana to Korea, at the credential presentation ceremony for new ambassadors held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th. From right to left: Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs; President Lee Jae-myung; Ambassador Kojo Choi; and his spouse Mrs. Baek Sieun. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 11th, President Lee Jae-myung received letters of credence from the ambassadors of eight countries newly appointed to Korea, including India and Austria. The credential presentation ceremony, held in the morning at the Yongsan Presidential Office, was attended by Goranglal Das, Ambassador of India; Eva Maria Lusek, Ambassador of Austria; Kuon Ponratanak, Ambassador of Cambodia; Bernadette Therese Fernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines; Hazem Zaki, Ambassador of Egypt; Kojo Choi, Ambassador of Ghana; Marimuthu Karupaya Pathmanathan, Ambassador of Sri Lanka; and Wael Hashem, Ambassador of Lebanon. The most notable attendees were Ambassador Kojo Choi of Ghana and his spouse, Baek Si-eun. He looks Korean, and in fact, he is Korean.
According to the profile provided by the Embassy of Ghana in Korea, Ambassador Kojo Choi (birth name: Choi Seong-eop) first came to Ghana in 1992, following his parents who arrived in the country as Presbyterian missionaries from Korea. From a young age, he participated in missionary activities across Ghana, especially in remote areas and communities lacking medical services. These early experiences had a profound impact on shaping his values of humility, service, and intercultural understanding, and these principles have guided his public service and leadership. Having dedicated decades to Ghana’s social and economic development, he first applied for citizenship in 1999 and obtained Ghanaian citizenship in 2015.
Ambassador Choi is said to have over 20 years of entrepreneurial and executive leadership experience in the fields of telecommunications, fintech, advertising, marketing, hospitality and tourism, natural health, and education. He founded and served as chairman of several successful companies, including Nanatel, Ultracom, PaySwitch, One Heart Africa Academy, Art Africa Foundation, and Village Welfare Foundation. He has also served on the boards of Xist Investment, Sanaa Africa Foundation (Kenya), and Kumi University (Uganda).
President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo after receiving his letter of credence from Kojo Choi, the new Ambassador of Ghana to Korea, at the credential presentation ceremony held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News
The embassy stated, "His innovative leadership and contributions to the African business ecosystem have made him one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s fintech and entrepreneurship sectors," adding, "He has been invited as a speaker at major international platforms such as the Ghana CEO Summit, Korea-Africa Business Summit, Digital Business Summit, United Web Summit, and the Ishmael Yamson Roundtable."
Ambassador Choi is also deeply involved in charitable and humanitarian work. He regularly leads overseas volunteer programs focused on youth empowerment, education, and rural development. The embassy noted, "His dedication to representing the nation was clearly demonstrated by his pivotal role in supporting Ghana’s participation in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics," adding, "At that time, as deputy head of the delegation, he was responsible for supporting Ghana’s only team and assisting the Ghana Olympic Committee in fulfilling its obligations to international federations."
Even before his appointment as ambassador, Choi contributed to the development of Ghana-Korea relations by serving as a Korean interpreter and translator for Ghana’s former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and John Dramani Mahama, facilitating smooth high-level bilateral meetings.
The embassy stated, "Appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025, Ambassador Kojo Choi symbolizes harmony, trust, and shared goals between Ghana and Korea," adding, "From the son of a missionary to entrepreneur, philanthropist, and now diplomat, his unique journey demonstrates a life dedicated to service, innovation, and strengthening global partnerships for Africa’s development."
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