Amb. Alima Mahama visits City of Columbia in South Carolina
Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States in Washington DC, led a three-member delegation to meet with officials of City of Columbia to strengthen the sisterly relations between Ghana and South Carolina.
During the three-day visit in Columbia, the Ghanaian delegation discussed potential areas of cooperation in trade, investment, culture, tourism, and education.
The delegation from Ghana was made up of Mrs. Ninette Danquah Ivo, Minister/Economic and Diaspora Affairs and Mr. Job Tiimob, Trade Officer of the Embassy of Ghana in Washington D.C.
They were welcomed on arrival by the Executive Director of Columbia World Affairs Council, Mr. Dickson Monk, Committee Chair of the Accra-Columbia Sister Cities, Ms. Mildred Vanderpuije and a Ghanaian born Police Officer at the Governor’s office, Officer Ephraim Nkrumah
Her Excellency’s visit started at the Governor’s office in the South Carolina State House on July 11, 2024, where she and her team met with Governor Henry McMaster.
From the Governor’s office, the Ambassador and her team moved to Columbia City Hall to meet with Mayor Daniel J. Rickenman. They were greeted by the Mayor who was accompanied by Councilman Tyler D. Bailey, City Manager Teresa Wilson, and other members of the City of Columbia executive leadership team.
“It is a privilege to meet with Ghanaian Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama to continue fostering the strong bond between Columbia and Accra, Ghana,” said Councilman Bailey.
Later that evening, the Ambassador and her team were hosted to a salon dinner at the residence of Mr. Rick Wade, a former Senior Advisor to former President Barack Obama, and current Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Outreach, United States Chamber of Commerce.
Among the distinguished guests at the dinner were Commissioner Jamie Devine, Former Chair, Richland School District 1, and Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, SC State Senate, Senate District 19.
On the second day of the visit, the Ambassador and her team had fruitful deliberations with the leadership of the University of South Carolina (USC), the biggest university in the State of South
Carolina. The discussions centered on student and faculty exchange programs that the university currently has, and wishes to further strengthen and or explore new avenues with universities in Ghana.
This was followed closely with a time of interaction with Ghanaian graduate students currently pursuing studies at different levels of education at USC.
Ambassador Mahama and her team then visited the Columbia Museum of Art to view a collection of photography and memorabilia depicting among other things, the origins of segregation in America, and historic churches that served not only as places of worship, but important community institutions that served as a path for resisting slavery.
The Provost and other key staff/faculty members of Claflin University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina with significant annual intakes of Ghanaian students, were next to meet with Ambassador Mahama and her delegation, to discuss student/faculty exchange programs with Ghanaian universities.
The team then proceeded to a Women’s Leadership Roundtable discussion, where over 30 prominent black women business owners and leaders from the City of Columbia and surrounding areas interacted with the Ambassador to learn more about the possible business and other opportunities that they could explore in Ghana.
The day ended with a meeting between the delegation, and members of the Ghanaian Association of South Carolina, particularly in Columbia.
The Ambassador and her team capped off their visit on Saturday, July 13, 2024 by attending Pan-African inter-nation Jollof Rice Competition which is an annual event organized by the local Organization of African Unity.
Liberia eventually emerged the winner of the competition, which for many years has been a bone of contention between Ghana and Nigeria.
This year’s visit by Her Excellency Alima Mahama to the City of Columbia was also a big step towards deepening the continued Sister City relationship that exist between Accra and Columbia.
“This visit represents a chance to further our collaboration. I look forward to discussing how we can build on our successes and explore new opportunities for mutual growth and development,” added Councilman Bailey.
“It is our pleasure to host Ambassador Alima Mahama (Hajia). The ability to share and collaborate on mutual goals and opportunities with her Excellency is so valuable,” said City Manager Wilson.
Source: Ghana Embassy, DC
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
