The Embassy of the Repub­lic of Korea in Ghana on Saturday launched the 2025 Korean Cultural Festival with the premiere of a Ghanaian-led theatre production, Sim Majorley, aimed at strengthening bilateral cultural ties.The production, directed by Ghanaian playwright Latif Abu­bakar and produced by Globe Productions in collaboration with the Korean Embassy, is an adapta­tion of the Korean classical novel Simcheongjeon (The Story of Sim Cheong).The play incorporates Ghana­ian cultural elements, particularly those of the Ga people, and is performed by a Ghanaian cast.The play had also been staged in Tema and at the Accra Inter­national Conference Centre on Saturday.At the launch of the festival in Accra, Korean Ambassador to Ghana Park Kyongsig, described the production as a "meaningful cultural collaboration" and a sym­bol of Korea's ongoing commit­ment to cultural diplomacy in the region."This production exemplifies Korea's efforts to strengthen ties through creative partnerships."It is our sincere wish that this event will help deepen mutual un­derstanding and further strength­en the cultural ties between our two countries," Ambassador Park said.Sim Majorley tells the story of a young woman who sacrifices her­self to restore her blind father's sight.While the plot is based on traditional Korean literature, the Ghanaian adaptation localises the narrative through language, music, and cultural references familiar to Ghanaian audiences.According to Abubakar, the adaptation seeks to promote cross-cultural understanding by blending the storytelling traditions of both countries."By placing this story within the cultural rhythms, language, and symbolism of the Ga people, we have preserved the Korean essence while fostering cultural exchange," he said.The 2025 Korean Cultural Fes­tival will also include K-pop dance showcases by Ghanaian youth and booths highlighting Korean food, technology, and traditional culture.Organisers said the inclusion of a performance in Tema was part of an effort to decentralise cultural programming and reach wider audiences.The festival is part of the Korean Embassy's broader public diplomacy initiatives in Ghana, which include educational out­reach, scholarship programmes, and cultural exchanges. BY TIMES REPORTER