The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, (AMA), today sent a decorative miniature coffin to the authorities of the city of chicago, USA to be auctioned at a fair to be held in that city this year.

The auctioning of the fish shaped coffin is part of efforts between the city of Accra and the city of Chicago to revive links between them.

Speaking to GRi at a brief ceremony at which the British Airways (who are air freighting the piece free of charge) formally received it, Nii Kwei Allotey, special assistant to the AMA Chief Executive said the twinning programme of the cities involves trade, investment, cultural affairs and staff training in city management.

Nii Allotey who is also the officer in charge of the "Accra

Chicago twin sister programme" said the coffin was recommended by visiting delegates from the city of Chicago.

He said linkages between the two cities started in 1989 but it was in 1994 that the twinning programme took shape with the visit of the Accra Mayor to Chicago and a follow up visit of three business delegations to work in areas of investment, industry, housing, tourism and communication.

Informal private sector investors in the city are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities that the programme offers.

Nii Alloty mentioned the co sponsoring of Kiddafest, a toy competition and an in house programme organised for artistes from the National Theatre as areas that the two cities have collaborated.