Accra, June 2, GNA - Dr Susan Herlin, a consultant of the Sister Cities Organizations in Louisville (SCL), on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, to strengthen the Sister City tie between Tamale and Louisville, a city in the US.

The SCL, which started operations in Tamale some 30 years ago, is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to global friendship, multi-cultural understanding and economic growth by developing lasting relationships between the Louisville area and Sister Cities around the world.

Dr Helin, who is also the "Development Chief" of Tamale Metropolitan Area with the title "Zo-Simli-Naa", told the minister that a substantial number of young Ghanaian women and men had benefited from the sister city partnership in that they are able to access scholarship programmes in order to pursue higher education. "The idea of cities having treaties with one another and creating a framework to work together to build a strong network is laudable," she said, and pledged to sustain the programme in Ghana. Mr Chireh praised Dr Herlin for the initiative and said she had demonstrated a spirit of development and peace, which are essential qualities for socio-economic development of the Tamale area in particular and the country in general. Dr Herlin, who was at the Ministry with her husband, is expected to travel to Tamale for meetings with the chiefs, government officials and alumni.