Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has led a high-level Ghanaian delegation to the United States to participate in the 70th Anniversary Sister Cities International Homecoming Conference held in Washington, D.C., from 22 to 25 July 2026.
The visit followed an official invitation from Sister Cities International, the global organisation dedicated to promoting peace and international cooperation through city-to-city partnerships and citizen diplomacy.
Joining the Vice President on the official delegation was the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, alongside the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith, and other senior government officials.
The four-day conference brought together government leaders, diplomats, mayors, development partners, business executives, academics, and civil society organisations from across the world to explore new opportunities for international municipal cooperation.
The conference focused on the expanding role of city diplomacy in fostering sustainable development, economic growth, innovation, and stronger people-to-people relationships across nations.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening international partnerships through local government collaboration and strategic city diplomacy.
She noted that sister-city partnerships have become powerful instruments for promoting economic transformation, cultural exchange, innovation, and inclusive development among participating countries.
The Vice President emphasised that Ghana remains committed to leveraging such international partnerships to create opportunities for investment, tourism promotion, educational collaboration, technology transfer, and climate resilience initiatives.
“City diplomacy continues to provide practical pathways for building lasting international partnerships that directly improve the lives of our citizens through innovation, investment and shared development,” the Vice President stated.
Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, who accompanied the delegation in his capacity as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, participated in engagements aimed at strengthening Ghana’s diplomatic relations and expanding opportunities for international cooperation through local government partnerships.
The delegation also participated in the Africa Regional Forum, where discussions centred on strengthening collaboration among African municipalities and enhancing continental partnerships in sustainable urban development.
Another key highlight of the programme was the Presidential Luncheon, which provided an opportunity for delegates to exchange ideas on global cooperation, leadership, and the future of municipal diplomacy.
Ghana’s representatives also participated in the Mayors’ Matchmaking Session, designed to facilitate partnerships between cities seeking to establish or strengthen sister-city relationships across different regions of the world.
The delegation further held meetings with officials of Sister Cities International to explore opportunities for expanding Ghana’s participation in the organisation’s programmes and initiatives.
During the visit, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang also met members of the Ghanaian community in the United States at the Ambassador’s Residence, where discussions focused on strengthening diaspora engagement and promoting national development.
The delegation additionally visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of efforts to deepen cultural appreciation and strengthen historical connections between Ghana and the African diaspora.
Officials also toured the Eisenhower Memorial Center, where they reflected on leadership, international cooperation, and the importance of preserving historical legacies that contribute to global peace and development.
Established in 1956, Sister Cities International has served as a global platform for promoting mutual understanding, friendship, and peace through citizen diplomacy and partnerships between cities around the world.
The organisation’s 70th Anniversary Homecoming Conference commemorated seven decades of successful international municipal cooperation while providing a platform for practical discussions on trade, investment, education, culture, public health, digital transformation, innovation, climate action, and sustainable urban development.
Ghana’s participation in the landmark conference aligns with the Government’s broader foreign policy objectives of advancing economic diplomacy, decentralisation, multilateral cooperation, diaspora engagement, and inclusive national development.
The visit is expected to strengthen Ghana’s international partnerships while creating new avenues for collaboration that support sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
