‘I decided to be one with Ghana in 1999’ – Ambassador Kojo Choi

Ghana’s newly commissioned Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Kojo Choi, has shared a deeply personal and moving account of his life, revealing that his commitment to Ghana was cemented in 1999 during his admission to the University of Ghana.

Ambassador Choi’s story, published following his commissioning ceremony on October 1st, highlights how the grace and mentorship within Ghanaian institutions transformed him from a struggling international student into a national diplomat.

Ambassador Choi, whose appointment is seen as a powerful symbol of Ghana’s embrace of diversity, stated that his journey is testament to the nation’s nurturing spirit.

A Life Shaped by Ghanaian Mentors and Scholarships

Ambassador Choi’s educational foundation was built at SOS College, where he received a transformative opportunity despite steep competition. The Ambassador recalled the rigorous admission process, detailing the precise numbers: out of 700 applicants, only half were permitted to sit for the entrance exam. This was further whittled down to 45 shortlisted candidates for interviews, with just 25 ultimately admitted.

Though he ranked 42nd, the founder of the college, Mrs. Margaret Nkrumah, personally selected him, an act the Ambassador credits as the turning point of his life.

“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. I ranked 42nd, but Mrs. Nkrumah chose me.”

Her decision enabled him to receive a virtual full scholarship supported by the international SOS foundation, where he completed the Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma, gaining what he described as access to a “world-class education and new opportunities.” Mrs. Nkrumah stood in place of his mother at the commissioning ceremony last week.

The 1999 Decision and the Legon Lifeline

The Ambassador pinpointed his entry into the University of Ghana (Legon) in 1999 as the moment he chose his identity.

“Then in 1999, when I entered the University of Ghana, I made a decision in my heart: ‘I will stay in Ghana. I will become one with this nation and live my life here.’ It was more than just an admission. It was the moment I embraced my identity and calling.”

However, the reality of paying “international student tuition fees” was a constant “struggle.” He found an indispensable ally in Mr. Teddy Konu, the former Registrar of the University of Ghana, who stood in for his father at the commissioning.

Ambassador Choi revealed how Mr. Konu ensured his continued studies despite the financial difficulty:

“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.”

Commissioning as the Ultimate Validation

Ambassador Choi reflected that his ultimate appointment by the President of Ghana felt like a full understanding of his life story, confirming that “Ghana had adopted me, educated me, and raised me as her own.”

The Ambassador was joined by several pillars of his life at the ceremony, including Mr. Konu, Mrs. Nkrumah, Dr. Nathan Annobi (a friend and partner of more than 20 years since their Legon days), Mr. Stephen Danso (who offered invaluable lessons in diplomacy), and his “Korean brothers,” Mr. Hong and Mr. Han.

The emotional weight of the appointment was palpable when he read the Vote of Allegiance:

“I had to fight back tears as I uttered the words, realizing how far the journey had been from a struggling student to a servant of Ghana entrusted with the responsibility of representing the nation abroad.”

Ambassador Choi affirmed that he goes to Korea not only as a diplomat but as a son of Ghana, determined to strengthen the bonds between the two nations across trade, diplomacy, culture, education, and mutual understanding.

He concluded that his story is a “path of calling” and a prayer to inspire the next generation.

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