STMA Mayor Meets Düsseldorf Mayor to Talk Strategic Alliance on City Development for Sustainability

The Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), Lawyer Frederick Faustinus Faidoo, has met the Mayor of Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephan Keller, in a historic encounter to explore how the two cities can work together on a strategic alliance for sustainable city development.

The bilateral conference in Düsseldorf focused on concerted action on issues such as sustainable urban planning, climate resilience, smart city infrastructure, cultural exchange, and economic investment.

The visit is part of STMA's broader international cooperation program aligned with the policy of decentralization in Ghana and the Assembly's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Speaking at the engagement, Mayor Faidoo emphasized mutual values between the two cities and H. E John Dramani Mahama's leadership towards driving this vision

"Sekondi-Takoradi and Düsseldorf both recognize the need for sustainable development and inclusive growth. This encounter marks the beginning of a successful collaboration that can bring tangible benefits in terms of green infrastructure, green energy, and capacity building," he added.

Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller welcomed the collaboration, saying Düsseldorf's eagerness to work together and share information and experiences in smart city policy, waste management, urban mobility, and climate change adaptation.

"Global cooperation between sister cities such as Sekondi-Takoradi is essential towards developing resilient global communities. We are looking forward to mutual exchange of our municipal institutions and technical teams," replied Dr. Keller.

Under the proposed partnership, the two cities have pledged to begin the process of crafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will outline areas of cooperation, timelines, and project collaboration models. The partnership will also include participation in youth exchange, trade and investment conferences, and joint funding proposals through European and multilateral development forums.

The visit covered an excursion of Düsseldorf's key sustainability projects, including its district heating, waste-to-energy plants, and hybrid public transport systems.

The STMA delegation also engaged German city development experts, diaspora elites, and potential investors interested in the Sekondi-.Takoradi.