Ghana’s newly commissioned Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Kojo Choi, has shared a deeply moving and grateful reflection on his life, highlighting how pivotal Ghanaian institutions and mentors rescued him from financial hardship and paved his path to the diplomatic post.
Ambassador Choi, who was commissioned on October 1st, described his ascension to representing Ghana in his birth country, Korea, as the culmination of decades of being “adopted, educated, and raised” by the nation.
The Pious Role of Mentors and SOS College
The Ambassador’s post emphasized the crucial role of several individuals at his recent swearing-in ceremony. Since his parents, wife, and children could not be present, key mentors stood in as family.
Mr. Teddy Konu, the former Registrar of the University of Ghana, represented his father, while Mrs. Margaret Nkrumah, founder of SOS College, stood in for his mother.
Ambassador Choi’s educational success hinged entirely on the decision made by Mrs. Nkrumah at the highly competitive SOS College. He detailed the extreme exclusivity of the school’s entry process:
“I recall, out of 700 applicants, half were allowed to sit for the exam, 45 were shortlisted for interviews, and only 25 were finally admitted.”
Despite ranking 42nd, outside the final selection pool, Mrs. Nkrumah personally chose him.
This decision granted him a virtual full scholarship, supported by the international SOS foundation, enabling him to complete the rigorous Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma—qualifications that provided him with “world-class education and new opportunities.”
Overcoming Financial Struggle at the University of Ghana
The financial challenges continued when Ambassador Choi entered the University of Ghana (Legon) in 1999. He was consistently unable to pay his “international student tuition fees” on time, describing “every semester was a struggle.”
His ability to graduate was secured only through the compassionate intervention of Mr. Teddy Konu. Ambassador Choi recounted the direct administrative support he received from the former Registrar:
“Whenever that happened, I would go to see the Registrar, Mr. Konu. He would call the finance office so I could pay only a small portion of the fees and continue my studies until I could gather more.
Thanks to his help and the little-by-little persistence, I was able to graduate from Legon.”
This episode solidified his identity, having previously decided upon his admission in 1999: “I will stay in Ghana. I will become one with this nation and live my life here.”
Representing Ghana with Gratitude
Ambassador Choi found the appointment by the President of Ghana to be the ultimate confirmation of this identity.
“It is as if he fully understood the story of my life that Ghana had adopted me, educated me, and raised me as her own… he chose to appoint me, someone who perhaps understands the language, culture, and heart of Ghana more deeply than many, to return to the land of my birth, Korea, as Ghana’s Ambassador.”
The profound emotion of the occasion was evident when he took his oath: “I had to fight back tears as I uttered the words,” realizing the distance covered “from a struggling student to a servant of Ghana entrusted with the responsibility of representing the nation abroad.”
As he begins his mandate, Ambassador Choi stressed that he goes not only as a diplomat but as “a son of Ghana who has been nurtured by her grace,” carrying a deep sense of responsibility and hope.
His primary determination is to strengthen the bonds between Ghana and Korea across trade, diplomacy, culture, education, and mutual understanding.
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