By: Abubakari Ahmed, World Bank Consultant
In November 2024, a ten-member delegation from Ghana, supported by the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF), attended the Korea Green Innovation Days (KGID) in Jeju, South Korea. The delegation, which included government officials from the Ministry of Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), and municipal city governments from Greater Kumasi, took part in a comprehensive and insightful journey that spanned from November 3-8, 2024.
The event kicked off with a cultural tour on November 3, allowing the Ghanaian team to experience Korean culture and hospitality. The following days, from November 4-6, focused on the core KGID activities, where participants delved into various thematic areas such as urban planning, transport development, and the role of innovation and technology in improving service delivery.
On November 7-9, the delegation visited Seoul, where they engaged in a knowledge exchange event with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Transport Operation and Information Service (TOPIS). Here, the Ghanaian officials were able to explore Seoul's public transportation transformation, including visits to innovative sites like the movable BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) station, the Jamil BRT transit station, and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. They also explored urban regeneration activities in Seoul, such as the Gyeongui Line Forest Park and the Seoullo 7017 expressway, which has been converted into a linear park. The TOPIS visit provided an in-depth look at Seoul's intelligent transportation system (ITS), demonstrating how technology has shaped the city’s modern transport infrastructure.
Key Insights and Reflections
The Ghana delegation left with a wealth of knowledge and ideas that they plan to apply in their work. One of the highlights was the movable BRT station, a unique innovation that addresses sociocultural concerns by allowing the station to be relocated during community festivals. This ingenuity showed the delegation how engineering can solve infrastructure challenges while fostering community engagement.
Here’s what some of the participants had to say about their experience:
- “The program provided an invaluable platform to witness and learn from Jeju’s advancements in sustainable development, renewable energy, and green technologies, as well as Seoul's innovative practices in transportation, urban development, and public infrastructure. The experience reinforced my belief that sustainable urban transformation is possible through visionary leadership, integrated planning, innovative technology, and community engagement. It also inspired me to think critically about how these lessons could be applied in my own country to address pressing urban challenges.” – Ruth Karikari-Boakye Yiadom, Senior Environmentalist, Department of Urban Roads.
- “The trip was a memorable one, and I was amazed by the wind turbines that generate electricity in Jeju. It taught me about the many ways natural resources can be replenished and sustainably harnessed to generate power.” – Joseph K. Asiedu, Transport Officer, Kwadaso Municipal Assembly.
- “The Korea trip was an amazing and interesting experience. As a public transport practitioner, I was thrilled by the processes Seoul City Authorities went through to reform its public transportation system in 2004. The use of modern technology to manage current transportation operations was impressive. I am hopeful that Greater Kumasi, and Ghana in general, can reach such heights if we continue to build on our existing strengths.” – Patrick Antwi, Transport Officer, Ejisu Municipal Assembly.
The Ghana delegation expressed immense gratitude to KGGTF for the opportunity to attend the KGID and learn from global leaders in green growth. With these valuable experiences, they are eager to contribute to the implementation of the KUMAP project and continue fostering sustainable practices in their respective regions.
Looking ahead, the Ghanaian officials are excited to incorporate these lessons into their work, applying the insights gained to drive forward sustainable urban and transport development in their communities.
The grant, Developing a Green, Integrated and Smart Public Transit System in Kumasi, was approved in 2022, led by Haileyesus Adamtei Mengesha, Senior Transport Specialist