A cocktail reception was held at the M-Plaza Hotel, in Accra last week, in honour of Madam Shirley Rivens Smith, President of U.S.-Africa Sister Cities Foundation who paid a one-week visit to the country to attend the formal launching of the 12th US Africa Cities Annual Conference.

The conference which would have the theme, "Strengthening Sister Cities in Africa - a Focus on the HIV/AIDS Crisis, Good Governance, Business, Trade and Investment" is under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. It will take place in Accra from June 29 to July 5 2003.

The reception, sponsored by M-Plaza Hotel was attended by a cross section of people. The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Freddy Blay, was the Guest of Honour. Others were AMA Chief Executive, Mr. Solomon Ofei Darko, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Yaw Barimah, President of the Ghana Sister Cities Foundation, Mr. Prince Kwame Kludjeson, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Members of Parliament.