Global Citizenship: A Personal & Collective Responsibility
Africa Global Sister Cities Conference, Ghana 5 17 2008
1. Africa Global Sister Cities Conference Accra, Ghana May 18, 2008 Lisa Briggs
2. 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)
3. History & Background During 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)
4. History & Background During 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)
5. Sister Cities in Africa 109 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)
6. Image Abroad 38% 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.)
7. Across the Globe… Europe – 35% Asia & Oceania – 29% Americas – 16% Eurasia – 9% Africa – 6% Middle East – 3% Caribbean – 2% (Sister Cities International)
8. What do sister city programs do? People-to-people exchanges: -Trade & Economic Missions -Municipal/Technical Missions -Arts & Culture -Educational programs -Humanitarian Assistance -Events & Programs
9. 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?
10. Forming a successful organization Lesson # 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
11. Forming a successful organization Lesson # 3: Effective Communications Using the Media Leverage citizen networks and community organizations in partnerships $$$$: Reliable funding sources and good communications. (SCI)
12. 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.
13. Roll of Mayors Civic Leadership Public advocacy in the community Lobby legislators and other elected officials for financial support. Personal involvement – example: leading exchange delegations. Grassroots programming.
14. 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
15. 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)
16. The UN’s Millennium Development Goals MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger. MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education. MDG 3: Promote gender equality & empower women MDG 4: Reduce child mortality MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
17. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger Target 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).
19. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education Target 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).
23. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Target 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 mortality Target 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.
24. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 5: Improve maternal health Target 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).
25. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases Target 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)
27. Ghana – MDG Facts Target 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.
28. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 7: Ensure environment sustainability Target 9: Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
30. Ghana – MDG Facts MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development Developed 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)
31. Ghana: U.S. exports, imports, GSP imports, and AGOA imports, by major commodity sectors, annual and year to date Jan - MarU.S. International Trade Commission Agricultural Products Forest Products Chemicals & Related Products Energy Related Products Textiles & Apparel Footwear Minerals & Metals Machinery Transportation Equipment Electronic Products Miscellaneous Manufacturer Special Provisions All Sectors
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. Donations given to the Paramount Chief One laptop computer – donated by Greg Briggs A 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.
36. Changing Lives-one individual, one community at a time Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.
Notas del editor
Identify 10-12 people in the community who will serve on your “Sister City Committee”. Hold regular sister city committee meetings. Meet with the mayor, City Council, Chief, other formal & informal community leaders. Find partners in your community: Lions Club, Rotary Club, churches, businesses.
Africa Global Sister Cities Conference theme is meeting the UN’s Millennium Development goals.
With this trend, the MDG’s, target 1 on poverty is likely to be achieved in just a few years. However, the reduction in poverty in the three northern regions is progressing slowly. With continued effort, MDG targets 1 & 2 are likely to be achieved by 2015.
Based on net enrollment in the 6th grade at primary school, only 3 out of 4 children complete primary school. However it is encouraging to find a slightly higher completion rate for girls.
Literacy rate for young people remains higher for male than female.
Immunization rates & other supporting indicators between 1993 & 2006 will, if sustained, significantly contribute to the reduction to should mortality.
The elimination of gender disparity in primary & secondary education is likely to be largely achieved by 2015. Achievement of the MDG targets 4 & 5, is seriously in jeopardy.
At this rate, MDG 5 is unobtainable. The level of births assisted by skilled personnel still remains low, particularly in rural areas, although some improvements were made especially in rural areas.
It is projected that by 2012 an estimated number 19,778. mothers will be in need of PMTCT annually.
While prevalence rates can be highly volatile & the data does not reflect sentinel site discrepancies, Ghana is largely succeeding in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Universal coverage with ITNs could save the lives of close to 20,000. Ghanaian children each year and contribute to significant progress towards MDG’s 4 & 6.
Significant progress has been made in terms of access to safe water & sanitation. Ghana is close to meeting target 10, but with wide sub-national disparity.
Only five countries are living up to the commitment; the United States of America is giving less than 0.2%.
