Ghana’s Ambassador Designate to Korea, Kojo Choi, has shared how his father influenced his decision to remain in Ghana and eventually become a naturalised citizen.
Mr Choi said he was 14 years old when he first arrived in Ghana with his Korean Presbyterian missionary parents. He attended SOS College in Tema, where he learned some Twi and later picked up a bit of the Frafra language.
Choi, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, said he has lived in Ghana since his adolescence and was naturalised as a Ghanaian in 1999.
Speaking on Channel One’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, August 12, Kojo Choi said, “I was born in South Korea, I came here [Ghana] when I was 14 years old, I followed my parents. I lived in Seoul, the province where I was born. My parents were sent here as Korean Presbyterian missionaries. Ever since I came here, I have actually lived a unique life.”
Choi revealed that after completing SOS College, he had the opportunity to study in the United States. However, his father advised him to stay in Ghana and build a unique life.
He said that decision led him to take Ghanaian citizenship in 1999 — a choice he has never regretted.
“I had the opportunity of going to study in the US. At SOS college, everybody had the opportunity to apply to 15 to 20 universities to get admission. I was going to apply, and my father one day called me and sat me down, and said, ‘Son, why do you want to leave Ghana. You could stay here, and you could be a different person altogether. Honestly, I wanted to leave but decided to stay. And made a solemn vow to myself that I was not going back, and that was when I naturalised in 1999.”
His appointment generated debate on social media, with some critics questioning why the role was not given to a Ghanaian by birth.
Responding to such concerns, Choi said his life in Ghana has been unique and deeply rooted in the country’s culture and society.
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