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A 5-Member delegation from the Golfe 1 Municipality in Togo paid a two-day visit to the city of Kumasi from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th July, 2023.
The delegation was led by the Mayor and President of the Municipal Council of Golfe 1, Mr. Gomado Koamy Gbloekpo.
According to Mayor Gomado, the visit was to explore the city of Kumasi and also to sign a sister-city partnership with the City on Trade, Education, Health, Economic Development among others.
The areas of cooperation in the partnership are internal governance of the municipalities and the services they provide to their people, sharing of knowledge and good practices especially solutions for economic development and job creation.
Hon. Sam Pyne (middle) with the Golfe 1 delegation
Another area is Education, mainly as exchange for training of trainers and direct learners in the field of language, art, sport, culture among others.
The partnership also includes encouragement of economic operators and investors among the citizens of the two cities, infrastructural developments, sources and means of financing projects, and organization of fairs, festivals, sporting events among others.
SIGNING OF MOU
In his welcome address during a dinner ceremony to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Sister City- partnership, the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Samuel Pyne said the City of Kumasi was convinced that, establishing international relations and cooperation with the Municipality of Golfe 1 of the Republic of Togo, will offer excellent opportunities to promote development and share best practices between the cities.
Mayor Gomado Koamy Gbloekpo signing the visitors book at the KMA
He mentioned that Kumasi was the second largest city in Ghana with the population of about 1.7 million is geographically located at the center of Ghana and therefore very accessible to almost every part of the country as well as other neighboring West Africa countries.
The Kumasi Mayor expressed hope that upon signing the MOU, a working group representing both cities will be formed to identify relevant areas of mutual interest for joint investment among the cities and business community in order to reap the benefits envisaged under the partnership soon, adding that he was personally committed to the implementation of all plans under the cooperation in order to achieve the intended purpose.
Mr. Gomado Koamy Gbloekpo, the Mayor of the Golfe 1 Municipality in Togo on his part said the agreement will allow the cities to deal together with issues related to culture, education, sports, internal governance of municipalities and the services offered to the population, the local economy and youth employment as well as infrastructure development.
Hon. Patrick Frimpong -PM in a handshake with the Golfe 1 mayor during the General Assembly Meeting
He noted that they approached the city of Kumasi in December 2022, with a view to forging a link of cooperation and partnership that would be beneficial for the populations of the two entities.
Mr. Gomado said he was with the hope that with the dynamism of the municipal councils of Golfe 1 and Kumasi, the beautiful project of south-south partnership will come to fruition.
He urged all the actors who will make up joint working and consultation groups in the areas identified to work with greater ardor to promote the successful implementation of the conventions and reassured the authorities of Kumasi that Golfe 1 will do its best to preserve the clauses of the agreement for the sustainability of the relationship.
At the KMA Conference Hall, the Golfe 1 team were taken through the Local Governance System as practiced in Ghana and also visited the Kejetia Market and the Manhyia Palace Museum as well as meeting traders who import from Togo to build networks as they trade in Lomé.
The Mayor of Golfe 1 was also received as an honorary member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly by the Presiding Member, Hon Patrick Frimpong when the team witnessed the General Assembly proceedings at the Prempeh Assembly Hall.
Mr. Gomado Koamy Gbloekpo was accompanied by his spouse; Mr. Doh Tevi Djikpola, Chairman -Land and Environment Committee-Foreign Affairs; Mr. Kpogo Elom, Manager of Communication Services; Mrs. Bruce Ahlimba Penina, Executive Assistant of the Mayor; and Mr. Johnny Komla, Consultant for International Affairs and Project Manager.
SIGNED
HENRIETTA A.K. ABOAGYE
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
KMA
