He expressed STMA’s appreciation to the mayor and people of Palermo for their commitment towards strengthening the twinning relationship between the two cities. He further pledged his administration’s readiness to deepen the relationship with more programmes and activities that will ensure regular engagements and interactions between representatives or institutions of the two cities. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ghana’s Honorary Councillor in the Sicily Region, Mr. Francesco Campagna thanked the Assembly for the reception and the opportunity to twin with their city. He commended STMA for many achievements it has chalked over the years through city-to-city cooperation. He noted how communities are becoming key players in the global space and called for the need for strategies to position oneself very well to drive the change and development anticipated. He said the interconnection created among the Twin-Cities must therefore live to the new phenomenon of co-creating to find solutions to challenges around. Mr. Campagna emphasized that this twin-cities partnership is not just any partnership but considered as a marriage union between the two cities.

The other project partners, Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS), and Kumasi Technical University also expressed their joy in supporting the two cities to implement the project for the benefits of society. They further intimated their readiness to collaborate with the two cities to develop any future proposals to solicit funds for socio economic and cultural development.
At Takoradi Technical University Registrar of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Dr. Moses Maclean Abnory welcomed the team which was led by the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi, Hon Abdul-Munin Issah to the school. He thanked the leadership of the two cities for coming together to promote socio economic development which is key in every part of the world. He added that the intended cooperation between TTU and University of Palermo will go a long way to benefit both institutions in diverse ways. He encouraged both cities to show commitment for the survival of the twinning relationship for mutual benefits.

On his part, the mayor noted that both cities are enjoined to promote academic and research initiatives as part of the twinning agreement to develop international cooperation programs relevant to the two cities. He added that both cities have also resolved to promote cultural, artistic, social and economic relations. The cities also intend to exchange experiences in technical and administrative fields, environment, education, public health energy planning and sustainable development. “It is against this background that we have collectively in principle agreed to establish cooperation between Takoradi Technical University and University of Palermo, Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Ghana Sicily Business Forum” the mayor indicated.

Study Tour As part of their site visits, the delegation was sent to some beneficiary schools to inspect progress of the fruit trees planted as part of the climate change interventions being implemented through the project. The schools visited were Garrison Basic school in Takoradi and Ketan cluster of schools. They were also sent to the Urban Agriculture demonstration site in Sekondi which will used to train small-holder vegetable farmers, vulnerable groups, unemployed women and youth. The team also visited the Takoradi Port, Fort Orange in Sekondi, Takoradi Market Redevelopment site, some Coastal communities in the Metropolis and a visit to the Cape Coast Castle. After various presentations, engagements and visitations to project sites, the delegation was impressed and fulfilled with the work done so far, for the first year of the project. The team expressed their contentment and prayed for more cooperation and promotion of a stronger business bond that would ensure the benefits of the two parties.