Africa Global Sister Cities Conference

Accra, GhanaMay 18, 2008Lisa Briggs

History of the Sister Cities Movement

Created in 1956 by President Eisenhower during a White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy.

The Idea: Ordinary citizens participating in people-to people exchanges and building long-term partnerships between the U.S. and International communities that transcend national politics with the ultimate goal of world peace.

Initial relationships in Japan, Germany, and other European Countries.

(Sister Cities International)

History & BackgroundDuring the 1950’s and 1960’s the National

League of Cities, an organization that represents local government officials across the U.S. helped run the organization in Washington DC.

Initial exchanges and programs focused on culture and education.

1961: First U.S. – Africa:Mansfield, Ohio & Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.

(Sister Cities International)

History & BackgroundDuring the 1970’s programs focused on basic

urban problems such as water and sanitation, health, housing, education, and transportation.

In the mid - 1970’s sister school programs were initiated.

In the 1980’s, partnerships ran professional training programs to increase employment, establish cooperatives and credit unions. It was also during this time when Sister Cities started economic development programs. (SCI)

Sister Cities in Africa109 Communities in Africa with Sister cities

in the United States. (SCI)The oldest twinning in Ghana: Oakland, CA

with Sekondi – Takoradi, Ghana (July 1975). (SCI)

Image Abroad38% of the world holds a favorable view of

the U.S.More than 30 U.S. Government and

independent studies recommend additional exchanges as a solution to improve our public image abroad. (CRS)

98% of foreign exchange visitors gained a better understanding of the United States and its people. (U.S. State Dept.)

Across the Globe…Europe – 35%Asia & Oceania – 29%Americas – 16%Eurasia – 9%Africa – 6%Middle East – 3%Caribbean – 2%(Sister Cities International)

What do sister city programs do?

People-to-people exchanges:-Trade & Economic Missions-Municipal/Technical Missions-Arts & Culture-Educational programs-Humanitarian Assistance-Events & Programs

Questions to Ask Before Embarking on a Sister Cities Relationship

Create a city profile (population/business/topography).

Identify your communities’ strengths.Identify communities’ needs/desires - > what

problems would you like to solve?

Forming a successful organizationLesson # 1:3 – Way Public-Private Cooperation.Citizen Volunteers + Elected/Appointed Officials +

Community Organizations.Lesson # 2:Set annual goals and clear objectives for Your Program.What program areas will your partnership focus on this

year?-Economic & Sustainable Development-Humanitarian Assistance-Arts & Culture-Youth & Education

Forming a successful organization

Lesson # 3:Effective CommunicationsUsing the MediaLeverage citizen networks and community

organizations in partnerships$$$$: Reliable funding sources and good

communications.(SCI)

Roll of Business/Private Sector with Sister Cities

Partner:Plan a trade mission.Identify a project that benefits your company

and your community.Funder:Fund a youth exchange or local program.

Volunteer Resources:Encourage your employees to participate in

the local sister city programs and activities.

Roll of MayorsCivic LeadershipPublic advocacy in the communityLobby legislators and other elected officials

for financial support.Personal involvement – example: leading

exchange delegations.Grassroots programming.

Sister Cities Membership Status Ghana

Aburi Portsmouth - New Hampshire Accra, Greater Accra - Chicago, Illinois Accra, Greater Accra - Washington, District of Columbia Agogo, Ashanti - Fort Lauderdale, Florida Akuapem South District, Ashanti - Lancing Michigan Cape Coast – Handover Park Illinois Cape Coast – Buffalo New York Elmina – Macon, Georgia Ga District, Greater Accra – Grand Ripids, Michigan Kadjebi, Volta – Dalton, Illinois Kitase - Portsmouth, New Hampshire Konongo-Odumasi – Tallahassee, Florida Kumasi, Ashanti – Newark, New Jersey Kumasi, Ashanti – Charlotte, North Carolina Kumasi, Ashanti – Winston-Salem, North Carolina,

Sekindi-Takoradi – Oakland, California Sekindi-Takoradi – Boston Massachusetts Tamale – Louisville, Kentucky Tema, Greater Accra – San Diego, California Wulensi, Nothern Ghana – Othello Washington

Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation

Sister Cities function is to move perception beyond common stereotypes of African countries.

Sister Cities will be a part of the development of African nations to undertake municipal improvement and economic growth, to help meet the Millennium Development Goals. (AGSSF)

The UN’s Millennium Development GoalsMDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty &

hunger.MDG 2: Achieve universal primary

education.MDG 3: Promote gender equality & empower

womenMDG 4: Reduce child mortalityMDG 5: Improve Maternal HealthMDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and

other diseasesMDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainabilityMDG 8: Create a global partnership for

development

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty &

hungerTarget 1: Reduce, by half, the proportion of

people living on less than a dollar a day. The percentage of population living below the poverty line has fallen significantly from 51.7% in 1991/92 to 28.5% in 2005/06 (GLSS5).

Target 2: Reduce, by half, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. The weight of underweight children under five has fallen steadily from 30.7% in 1988 (DHS 1988) to 17.8% (MICS 2006).

Ghana – MDG FactsUnderweight Children Under 5%

DHS 1988 DHS 1993 DHS 1998 DHS 2003 MICS 2006

30.7% 27.4 24.9 22.1 17.8

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 2: Achieve universal primary

educationTarget 3: Ensure that all boys & girls

complete a full course of primary schooling. Although current trends indicate significant progress in school enrollment, universal primary education may not be reached by 2015 as school completion remains a challenge (EMIS, 2006-7).

Ghana – MDG Facts

Net Enrollment rate in primary school %

EMIS 2002/03 EMIS 2005/2006

EMIS 2006/2007

National Average 55.9% 68.8% 78.6%

Male 57.4% 69.6% 79.8%

Female 54.5% 68.1% 77.3%

Ghana - MDG Facts

Literacy Rate for 15-24 years %

DHS, 2003

National Average 73.2%

Male 79.4%

Female 67.8%

Ghana - MDG FactsMortality Rates (deaths per 1,000. live births)

DHS 1989-93 1999-2003

Under five mortality rate 119 111

Infant mortality rate 66 64

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower

womenTarget 4: Eliminate gender disparity & secondary

education at all levels by 2015. The gender parity index (ratio of girls to boys) is currently .97% in primary school & .96% in secondary education (EMIS, 2006/07).

MDG 4: Reduce child mortalityTarget 5: Reduce, by two-thirds, the mortality rate

among children under five. With stagnation from 119 deaths per 1,000. live births in 1993 to 111 per 1,000. births in 2003.

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 5: Improve maternal healthTarget 6: Reduce, by three quarters, the

maternal mortality ratio (MMR). There is no current information on MMR in Ghana. According to the UN estimates, MMR has been reduced by one quarter between 1990 & 2000 (from 740 to 540 deaths per 100,000. births).

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseasesTarget 7: Halt & begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is responsible for about 15% of all HIV globally. In Ghana, as of December 2006, mothers who received Prevent Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services were 1,526 compared to 16, 785 pregnant women in need of PMTCT. This represents 9%.

With respect to risk reduction among youth, the percentage of youth age 15-24 engaging in high-risk sex who use condoms is only 41.8% for female and 55.7% for male (MICS 2006). Contraception rates for currently marries women also remain low. However, HIV prevalence among 15-24 year old mother attending antenatal care reveals a slightly decreasing incidence rate (HIV Sentinel Surveillance Report 2006)

Ghana – MDG FactsHIV prevalence among 15-24 year old mothers attending antenatal care %

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

National Average

3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 1.9% 2.5%

Ghana – MDG FactsTarget 8: Halt & begin to reverse the incidence of

Malaria & other major diseases. About 26% of U5MR in Ghana is caused by Malaria, which Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) have proven efficacy in saving the lives of slightly more than five children each year for every 1,000. children sleeping under an ITNs & reducing all-cause child mortality by 20% (Cochrane Database).

In Ghana, significant progress of using ITN is noted between 2003 & 2006. The figure for 2006 was recorded before the 2006 campaign delivering free ITNs to all children under two years old.

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 7: Ensure environment sustainabilityTarget 9: Reduce by half the proportion of

people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.

Household Members using improved sources of drinking water %

DHS 2003 MICS 2006

National Average 69.1% 78.1%

Urban 86.0% 90.7%

Rural 54.8% 69.1%

Ghana – MGD FactsHousehold members using sanitary means of excreta %disposal

DHS 2003 MICS 2006

National Average

36.7% 60.7%

Urban 62.0% 82.6%

Rural 15.2% 45.3%

Ghana – MDG FactsMDG 8: Create a global partnership for

developmentDeveloped countries pledged to give 0.7%

cents of their national income as aid. Only five countries are living up to their

commitment; the United States of America is giving less than 0.2%(MDG sources – UNICEF)

Ghana: U.S. exports, imports, GSP imports, and AGOA imports, by major commodity sectors, annual and year to date Jan - Mar

U.S. International Trade Commission

Agricultural ProductsForest ProductsChemicals & Related ProductsEnergy Related ProductsTextiles & ApparelFootwearMinerals & MetalsMachineryTransportation EquipmentElectronic ProductsMiscellaneous ManufacturerSpecial ProvisionsAll Sectors

U.S. Embassy Accra: Dehab Ghebreab, Cultural Affairs Officer

Important links:Minister of Tourism: Hon. Oboshie Sai Cofie

-What are procedures?-Other Sister City linkages?-Suggest to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II. (Paramount Chief-Cape

Coast) that we make a meeting.Schedule a meeting with Executive Chief Officer, Marcy Arhin and

presiding member of Cape Coast, K.Buckman. Inform Osabarima Kwesi Atta II. of my meeting with Dehab.USAID funds available. They restored Cape Coast Castle &

currently helping to restore the Gothic House in Cape Coast.Visiting delegations – U.S. Embassy facilitates the coordination of

visitors, but does not pay for costs. Possible funds available for student transportation. Notify two months in advance to see if possible.

U.S. Embassy Accra & Sister Cities International: Nicole Johnson, Visa Information

How to apply for a visitor visa:Step 1: Pay the machine Readable Visa (MRV)

application fee at standard chartered bank.Step 2: Fill out the visa application forms online at

the U.S. embassy website: http://accra.usembassy.gov/wwwhvisa.html . Visa applications must be completed via computer. Hand-written applications are no longer accepted.

Step 3: Schedule a visa interview appointment online.Step 4: Appear at the U.S. Embassy for the visa

interview appointment. Arrive no earlier than 30 minuets before the interview time.

Cape Coast – Osabarima Nana Kwesi Atta II. (Paramount Chief)

Most important issues: Education & sanitation (in need of a recycling program). Paramount Chief suggested that we start one thing at a time.

Gothic House is in need of further funds to install a roof.

Festival – third week in August through the first Saturday in September.

Regular Mail is okay, but using a currier is best.Does not want us to spend $$$$ for them to travel to

the U.S., he would rather the money be spent on local improvements/programs.

Donations given to the Paramount ChiefOne laptop computer – donated by Greg

BriggsA large bin of books for the new children's

library – donated by Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Portland, Oregon.

Two bottles of libations for a gift and for a blessing.

Changing Lives-one individual, one community at a time

Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation – one

individual, one community at a time.