Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang says Ghana’s 37 active sister-city partnerships with communities across the United States are producing practical development outcomes and highlighting the growing importance of city-to-city diplomacy.
She made the observation at the 70th anniversary celebration of Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C., where she underscored the role of local government partnerships in promoting sustainable development, strengthening cooperation and facilitating knowledge sharing.
According to the Vice President, Ghana’s sister-city relationships have moved beyond ceremonial agreements and are now serving as practical avenues for development cooperation.
“The value of these partnerships goes far beyond symbolism,” she said.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the partnerships have supported collaboration in areas such as local governance, agriculture, capacity building and the exchange of expertise, benefiting communities across Ghana.
She stressed that the effectiveness of city diplomacy should not be judged by the number of agreements signed, but by the long-term impact of those partnerships on the lives of citizens.
“The success of city diplomacy may be measured initially by the agreements signed, but ultimately it is measured by the real outcomes that those relationships produce over time,” she stated.
The Vice President also emphasised the importance of strong local authorities in ensuring that international partnerships translate into meaningful development at the community level.
She linked the success of Ghana’s sister-city engagements to the country’s decentralisation agenda, arguing that governance must be effective in the towns, communities and districts where citizens directly interact with public institutions.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang said government is working to strengthen local authorities through increased resource allocation, including its commitment to channel 80 percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund directly to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
“Development interventions must respond to the needs of our citizens. They must be informed by evidence, guided by accountability, and measurable,” she said.
The Vice President further pointed to Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, noting that by the middle of the century, one in every four people in the world is expected to be African.
She said stronger partnerships between African cities and cities around the world would therefore be essential to promoting sustainable economic growth, innovation and development.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also highlighted the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, describing them as essential to building trust, promoting mutual understanding and strengthening lasting peace.
The 70th anniversary celebration of Sister Cities International brought together city leaders, diplomats, development partners and community representatives from around the world to reflect on seven decades of international cooperation through city-to-city partnerships.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
