'Opportunities are endless': Savannah enters partnership with African country

The City of Savannah signed a partnership with Accra, Ghana Wednesday morning during a virtual ceremony with leaders from the two cities connected by Zoom. The agreement is Savannah's first official partnership with an African country.

The goal of the partnership is to create exchange of commerce, culture, education and tourism between the two cities. It comes after Mayor Van Johnson visited Ghana for the World Trade Center's General Assembly in April 2023. Johnson met Accra Mayor Elizabath Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey on the trip, and the two had a meeting in the exact room Sackey signed the agreement, Johnson said.

The virtual ceremony included a celebratory toast and the playing of both countries' national anthems and a rendition of Lift Every Voice & Sing.

"I think the opportunities are endless," Johnson said.

Johnson highlighted similarities between the two cities: large export markets, multiple universities and deep history. Ghana is one of the countries which the southern coast's Gullah Geechee have descendants.

Johnson said a trip back to Ghana is possible later this year, with the city's full delegation planning for a trip in 2025. Savannah has had international relationships with other countries such as China, Ireland and Germany.

The goal is to be more intentional about continuing to cultivate more, also creating partnerships with Hispanic and Caribbean countries in the future, Johnson said.

"We have residents from all over the world," Johnson said. "If we're going to be a true international city, we have to have true international partnerships."

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah, Ga. enters international partnership with Accra, Ghana