Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger partnerships among African cities to drive sustainable economic development, saying city-to-city diplomacy remains a powerful tool for promoting investment, innovation and institutional growth.
Delivering the keynote address at the 70th anniversary celebration of Sister Cities International, the Vice President spoke on the theme, “Forging Stronger Partnerships in Africa for Sustainable Economic Development.”
She highlighted the growing importance of partnerships between cities in addressing shared challenges, strengthening local institutions and creating opportunities for economic cooperation and mutual learning.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening decentralisation, noting that under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are being empowered with greater resources and responsibilities to improve the delivery of education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential public services.
She also underscored Ghana’s strategic role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, describing it as a unique opportunity to promote intercity collaboration across the continent.
According to the Vice President, city diplomacy can stimulate trade, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation and investment while creating new opportunities for young people.
She further stressed the importance of cultural and educational exchanges in strengthening relationships between communities, noting that Ghana’s long-standing efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora continue to demonstrate the value of people-to-people engagement in fostering sustainable development.
Addressing global urban challenges, Prof Opoku-Agyemang called for greater collaboration among municipalities to tackle issues such as rapid urbanisation, climate change, waste management, public health and disaster preparedness through knowledge sharing and institutional cooperation.
She congratulated Sister Cities International on its 70 years of promoting global friendship and cooperation and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to partnerships that advance sustainable development, economic opportunity, institutional learning and shared prosperity
