Bridging Borders in Banking: Korea Times Essay Commendation Award
In July 2025, I received a Commendation Award in The 21st English Economic Essay Contest, hosted by The Korea Times and Woori Bank.
My essay, titled “Bridging borders in banking: Foreigner’s perspective,” explored how Korea’s financial system can become more inclusive for foreigners—focusing on:
- Everyday barriers like language and documentation
- The digital gap in mobile banking and fintech
- Practical steps banks can take to improve access for international residents
The essay was published in The Korea Times as part of the competition’s national feature.
Ceremony & Media Coverage
The award ceremony took place on July 2, 2025, where winners were officially recognized.
📸 Event Photos
🏆 Receiving the award
👥 Group photo of awardees
📰 Newspaper publication – page 1
📰 Newspaper publication – page 2
📰 Newspaper publication – page 3
📰 Close-up of my published essay
📰 Press Coverage (Korea)
My participation and award were featured in several Korean news outlets, including:
- 금강일보
- 뉴시스 (Newsis)
- 뉴스1 (News1)
- 충남일보
- 디트뉴스24
- 투데이플러스
- 충청뉴스
- 굿모닝충청
Main English-language coverage:
Why This Matters to My Work
This award aligns with my core areas of interest and ongoing work:
Financial Inclusion
Investigating how fintech and banking can better support migrants, students, and underbanked communities.
AI & Data Systems
Building systems that simplify complex processes using automation, natural language, and intelligent interfaces.
Cross-Cultural Perspective
Bringing a Ghanaian lens into conversations about Korean digital banking and global financial transformation.
Related Work: Generative AI in Africa
I am also contributing to ongoing research on how AI systems can be developed for African contexts.
- ResearchGate:
Generative AI in Africa – Project Work