The 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, held in Seoul, Korea, began today with a powerful call for deeper collaboration and mutual growth from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

Addressing a distinguished audience, including Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and other Heads of State and Government, President Akufo-Addo outlined a vision of shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity under the summit’s theme, “The Future We Make Together.”

In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Korea, established nearly fifty years ago in 1977. “Korea has proven to be a reliable partner and dependable friend of Ghana,” he stated, highlighting the economic, cultural, and political exchanges that have benefited both nations.

The Ghanaian leader praised the collaborative spirit that has characterized this partnership and expressed hope for its continued strength. President Akufo-Addo identified three critical pillars for the future of Africa-Korea relations: shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity. He underscored the importance of economic collaboration, noting Africa’s abundant natural resources and youthful population as key assets.

“By fostering trade, investment, and innovation, we can create a relationship of synergy that benefits both regions,” he said. He pointed to significant progress in economic cooperation, with increased trade volumes and successful joint ventures in manufacturing, agriculture, and information technology.

However, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that more work is needed to remove barriers to trade, enhance infrastructure, and promote knowledge exchange to unlock the full potential of this partnership.

Addressing the global climate crisis, President Akufo-Addo called for sustainable practices to protect the environment and promote renewable energy. He praised Korea’s leadership in green technology and sustainable development, urging Africa to leverage these innovations.

“This is not merely an environmental imperative; it is an economic opportunity that can drive long-term growth and stability,” he asserted. The President emphasized the need for global solidarity, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges. He highlighted the importance of supporting one another to ensure collective resilience.

President Akufo-Addo referenced Korea’s recent trilateral meeting with Japan and China, noting its significance for Africa. Strengthened relations among these economic powerhouses, he said, should lead to increased investment, new markets for African products, and technology transfer.

President Akufo-Addo also focused on the potential of innovation and technology to drive sustainable development. He called for collaboration in research and development, advancing digital literacy, and promoting entrepreneurship to harness the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.

Concluding his speech, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the future of Africa-Korea relations.

“The future we make together should be one of shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity,” he declared. He urged both regions to seize the moment to deepen their collaboration and build a brighter, more prosperous future.

The 2024 Korea-Africa Summit continues over the coming days, with various sessions aimed at strengthening ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation. Leaders and delegates from both regions are expected to engage in meaningful dialogues to advance their shared goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has expressed hope in the partnership between Sierra Leone and Korea, both now serving as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, emphasising the need for shared growth, sustainability and solidarity.

In his national statement to the inaugural 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, aimed at elevating the dialogue between Korea and African nations from the ministerial to the highest levels, President Bio kept to the theme: “The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity”, and assured of his country’s commitment to working with his counterparts.

“Sierra Leone looks forward to leveraging its relationship with the Republic of Korea and their joint Membership in the Non-Permanent Category of the UN Security Council to promote peace and security..

“Sierra Leone is committed to continuing to nurture our partnership in the Korea Africa Economic Cooperation and the Korea Africa Forum to strengthen our friendship and ensure our continued mutual prosperity.  We count on our decades of bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment.

“We welcome strategic support for our food security, human capital development and infrastructure development initiatives and the requisite technological transfer to boost economic growth. We look forward to win-win trade and investments in our productive sectors for our shared benefits,” he said.

President Julius Maada Bio also spoke about international peace and security, adding that one key framework for that would be the United Nations Security Council, of which Sierra Leone had been a Non-Permanent Member since January 2024.

“At a time when conflicts, wars and terrorist activities are increasing across the world, there is no better time than now to draw from our commonalities and the international peace architecture to prevent and respond to conflicts when they occur for a collective future of ‘Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity’.

“Sierra Leone, with unwavering determination, remains committed during its tenure to ensure that the Security Council fulfils its paramount responsibility in maintaining International Peace and Security. With escalating peace and security threats, the urgency of expediting the reform of the UN Security Council becomes even more pronounced,” he stated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

The Amilcar Cabral IT cable project aims to connect Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone through a submarine cable network. The objectives of the project are to enhance international telecommunications capacity, improve access to digital services and provide essential redundancy to guarantee broadband internet resilience.

Within the scope of the project development, an ECOWAS delegation, led by Mr. Sediko DOUKA, the Honorable Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization undertook a mission on 3rd of June 2024 to Conakry in the Republic of Guinea. The mission was facilitated by H.E. Louis-Blaise AKA-BROU, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, and included Officers from the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU).

Following the recent launch of the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) project through which The Gambia and Guinea have mobilized financing from the World Bank for the project implementation, the objective of the mission was to consult with the Ministers of Post, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, and Planning and International Cooperation, respectively, on key issues to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the Amilcar Cabral cable project.

The mission was briefed on Guinea’s preparedness for project implementation and held fruitful discussions on the following key issues: the phased implementation of the Project while maintaining its regional character; the establishment of a national Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in line with the prerequisites of financing Institutions; expediting the issuance of necessary permits; and the establishment of a seed fund to facilitate project preparation.

The mission met with M. Ismael NABE, Honorable Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and M. Nouha TRAORE, Secretary General of the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, along with their respective Directors and Heads of services/ agencies. Elhadj Ibrahima Diallo, Head of Guinea’s ECOWAS National Office, and his staff also participated in the discussions.

The mission also paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea where discussions focused on regional programs and projects in the Water Resources sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali will make an Official Visit to Singapore from 4 to 6 June 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong. This will be Prime Minister Abiy’s first Official Visit to Singapore. Prime Minister Abiy’s visit coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Ethiopia and will serve to reinforce the friendly relations between Singapore and Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Abiy will receive an official welcome at the Istana on 5 June 2024, and have separate calls on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Wong.  Prime Minister Wong will also host an official dinner in honour of Prime Minister Abiy. While in Singapore, Prime Minister Abiy will make several site visits to understand more about Singapore’s status as a regional transport and logistics hub, as well as our urban planning and smart nation development.

Prime Minister Abiy will be accompanied by First Lady Zinash Tayachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atskeselassie Amde, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide Mohamed, Minister and Head of Government Communications Service Dr Legesse Tulu Adera, Minister of Education Professor Berhanu Nega Bonger, Minister of Peace Binalf Andualem Ashenef, Minister of Mines and Petroleum Habtamu Tegegne Destaye, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Alemtsehay Paulos Atimo, Minister and Social Affairs Advisor Daniel Kibret Berhane, as well as other government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Singapore.