Mayor Koijee welcomes high-powered US delegation

Mayor of the City of Monrovia, His Lordship Jefferson T. Koijee has officially welcomed a four-man high-powered delegation from the City of Houston, Texas, United States of America.

The arrival of the high-powered US delegation to Monrovia emanated from an invitation extended by Mayor Koijee of the Monrovia City Government.

They arrived in Monrovia shortly after Mayor Koijee honored an invitation from His Lordship Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston and President of African American Mayors Association, to initiate a sister city relationship with the City of Monrovia.

Members of the high-powered United States delegation includes: Val Thompson, head of delegation and President, Houston International Trade by Development Council; Dr. Denise Adjei, Corporate Etiquette & International Protocol Consultant; Judge Bill C. Littlejohn, Retired Municipal Court Judge & Attorney at Law at Texas Bar; Amb. Cynthia Blandford, Honorary Counsul, State of Georgia & President at Afri Trade Global.

The collaboration of the two cities came as a result of Mayor Koijee’s engagement with the Houston City Government and contribution of cultural understanding to commercial success that continues to widely be appreciated by the government of Liberia and the government and people of the United States of America.

The discussion in Houston was centered on a sister city relationship between the City of Monrovia and the City of Houston, geared more towards developing commercial and trade links, improved knowledge and experience with a foreign culture which is valuable in conducting business and investment activities, and capitalizing on any enhanced understanding achieved through this relationship.

The essence of this sisterly relationship between the two cities is to support and promote the development of new social, economic, academic and community programs to encourage both cities citizens to share their experiences as a medium for learning from one another; promote key mayoral priorities relevant to both Monrovia and Houston, and provide financial or in kind support to community led programs that advance the aims of the sister city partnership.

It will also identify modules that generate new initiatives to further and nurture the increasingly powerful financial, social and cultural relationships between the two cities and generate an improvement of the operation of the two cities' various government agencies by serving as a conduit of information.

Additionally, the sisterly arrangement between Monrovia and Houston will also encourage business, tourism & trade and sharing of valuable resources and approaches in doing business within the two cities. This will raise the international profile of both cities in an effort to showcase local government achievements.

Speaking at an elaborate press conference held on Monday, June 14, 2021, Mayor Koijee reemphasized the need for negotiation and stratification of strong sister relationship of both cities. He appreciated members of the delegation for honoring his invite and quenched that the sister city relationship between Monrovia and Houston will foster mutually beneficial solutions to common challenges for these two great cities.

During the conference, Mayor Koijee and high-powered US delegates highlighted the need for Education Exchange Program. This aspect will mainly focus on reciprocated student visits in an effort to interact and have cultural exchanges which will improve understanding and reduce other cultural barriers especially through trade in services. This negotiation has started already with authorities of the Ministry of Education and the University of Liberia especially in the areas of joint Research and Development (R&D) including teachers and teaching exchange programs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Val Thompson, Head of high-powered US Delegation presented an official document to Mayor Koijee on behalf of Mayor Sylvester Turner. However, Monrovia City Government and Houston City Government are expected to establish a Memorandum of Understanding.

Finally, Mayor Koijee used the time to gown and sash members of the delegation. At the same time, he presented the key of Monrovia to them, granting full access to Africa’s oldest city. They later proceeded to the Monrovia City Garden where a dinner night was held.

About the author: Alpha G. Gray is the official Spokesperson of the City Government of Monrovia, Republic of Liberia. He can be reached via cell numbers +231776915195/+231880040361. Email: [email protected]