Tamale, Jan. 23, GNA- The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) has released over GH=A2100,000 for the construction of the first phase of a cattle market in the Metropolis.

The market upon completion would help facilitate the transportation of cattle, goats and other animals from Burkina-Faso and Niger to Tamale in the Northern Region, and also save cattle dealers from the south the additional cost of travelling to the two neighbouring countries for their business.

Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, Tamale Metropolitan Chief

Executive (MCE) said this at the signing of a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) between the two sister-cities of Tamale

and Niamey Commune 11 in Tamale on Tuesday. Mr Adam and Mr Seyni Mounkaila, Mayor of Niamey

Commune 11 signed the MOU for the two sister-cities. The Sister-City relationship is aimed at promoting

cooperation and socio-economic development between the

two cities. Mr Adam said the cattle market would also boost the

production of leather and milk in the country and generate

other businesses that would help provide employment for the

people. Mr Shanunu Mortagri, Ghana's Ambassador to Burkina

Faso said sister-city relationships were a strong tool for

fostering closer ties between countries, which had similar

cultures and traditions. He entreated the assembly members of the two sister-cities

to work hard to ensure that the relationship was well

established, nurtured and sustained for the mutual benefit of

their citizens. Mr Mortagri said Ghana shared borders with mainly French

speaking countries and it was therefore important that

Ghanaians took the study of the French language seriously to

enable them to interact with their French counterparts. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, said

Sister-City relationships were the building blocks for the

formation of continental bodies such as the Economic

Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He appealed to traditional rulers to show more interest in

sister-city relationships since they were opportunities to

showcase their rich culture.