BT, LL mayors at Accra Mayors’ Summit

Mayors from over 90 countries have gathered in Accra, Ghana to discuss, among other issues, how cities can adopt the Fast Track Approach in the fight against HIV and Aids.

Blantyre City Mayor Noel Chalamanda and his Lilongwe City counterpart Willie Chapondera are attending the summit under the sponsorship of the UNAids and National Aids Commission.

The fourth Summit of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent at Accra International Conference Centre aims at solidifying international alliance between Africa and the diaspora, develop partnerships between municipalities and other stakeholders and addressing economic and social development issues.

The theme of the summit, which has gathered over 20 000 delegates among them former president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings, is Cities Leading Sustainable Human Development and Economic Empowerment for Africa and the Diaspora.

Opening the summit on Monday, Mayor of Accra Alfred Vanderpuje said it was important for mayors and other African leaders to discuss issues affecting people on the continent.

Vanderpuje said there was need to advocate for and be proactive in promoting city twinning, sharing best practices and arranging training programmes for professionals.

Chalamanda, in an interview from Ghana, described the summit, which ends today, as a great opportunity to sell Blantyre to the outside world in areas of investment and tourism.

Said Chalamanda:  “I will definitely be very glad to invite some of these big names to Blantyre.”