Photo: Kwame Choi sandwiched by Okyeame Kwame and Ohemaa Woyeje
.Okyeame Kwame Defends His Children’s Uncle Amidst Criticism Over Ambassadorial Role
Celebrated musician and Climate Change Ambassador, Okyeame Kwame, has come out swinging in defence of Kojo Choi, a South Korean-born naturalised Ghanaian, whose recent appointment as Ghana’s Ambassador to South Korea has triggered mixed reactions online.
In a heartfelt post on his Facebook timeline, the rapper and activist sought to challenge notions of identity and nationality, urging Ghanaians to broaden their understanding of what it truly means to be Ghanaian in a multicultural and increasingly interconnected world.
“When Kwesi Kwarteng became head of Treasury in England, I remember how we celebrated in Ghana… the mention of his name alone brought smiles to proud Ghanaians and finance students,” Okyeame Kwame recalled, drawing comparisons with other global personalities with Ghanaian roots.
He referenced the pride felt across the continent when Barack Obama, a man of partial Kenyan descent, ascended to the presidency of the United States, and highlighted the joy Ghanaians experience when footballers like Ethan Ampadu, Inaki, and Nico Williams represent other countries on the global stage, while still honouring their Ghanaian heritage.
But at the heart of his post was Kojo Choi — not just a friend, but a man whom Okyeame Kwame refers to as “my children’s uncle.”
“Kojo was born in South Korea but moved to Ghana with his father at age 14. He scored 5 in the BECE Twi, went to Legon, and became a proud Vandal,” he shared, referencing Choi’s deep integration into Ghanaian culture.
He continued, with a humorous tone, “You don’t want to eat banku from the same bowl as Kojo. He’s fast. Waakye suffers in his presence.” But beyond culinary assimilation, Okyeame Kwame pointed out more substantive credentials.
“Kojo gave up his Korean citizenship and must even take a Korean visa just to get to where he was born. He financially supported Akwesi Frimpong to represent Ghana in the 2018 Winter Olympics. He employs many Ghanaians and treats them amazingly.”
While critics have questioned why someone not ethnically Ghanaian should represent the country abroad, the musician argued that Ghana must celebrate inclusiveness and recognise contributions over bloodline.
“Long story short, Kojo Choi is Ghanaian. Not just because he holds our passport, but because he has immersed himself deeply in the Ghanaian culture.”
He added that Choi’s appointment is not a mere token, but a strategic advantage, stressing,
“In my opinion, Kojo becoming Ghana’s ambassador to Korea is a blessing… he understands the nuances of Ghanaian society, speaks Korean, and has extensive experience in diplomacy when it comes to Ghana’s relationship with South Korea.”
Ending his post with a personal plea, Okyeame Kwame wrote,
“Above everything else, the guy is my friend. My children call him Uncle Kojo. Let us support him to forge a formidable relationship between Korea and Ghana.”
His remarks have sparked broader conversations around national identity, naturalisation, and what qualifies someone to represent Ghana on the global stage — topics that are likely to stir more public debate as the country continues to grapple with issues of inclusion in governance and diplomacy.
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