In a significant move to engender the holistic development of Shama in the Western Region, the National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentary Candidate for the area, Emelia Arthur, has partnered with the party’s branch in Udine, Italy, to engineer a sister-city relationship between Shama and Udine.
The partnership will see the Udine City authorities extend support to Shama in various aspects, including sports and social infrastructure development, agriculture improvements, and other general support.
To kickstart the partnership, Emelia Arthur will be in Udine, Italy, from May 26 to June 4, 2024, where she will meet and interact with the Udine City authorities, identified business partners, some of whom have Ghanaian interests, as well as the Ghanaian community.
Already, talks have advanced in sports development, and, in return, the Udine partners will, two days after Emelia Arthur’s visit, jet to Shama on June 6 to host a sports development event.
Officials from renowned sporting agencies in Udine, Italy, will spend eight days in Shama to engage in various sporting development activities, both theoretical and practical, for coaches of colt and juvenile football teams in Shama.
The team from Udine, Italy, among whom are renowned international scouts, will also use the period to organise a football gala for colt teams with players aged between 16 and 19 years.
Commenting on the partnership, National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Shama, Emelia Arthur, said: “This partnership will be one of the many ways I intend to change the fortunes of Essemaman. I desire to spearhead and embark on data-driven development initiatives that will be essential to the holistic emancipation of my constituents from poverty.
“It is not a race to the bottom. It is about who has the fortitude and the intellectual wherewithal to decipher the difference between what will be life-changing and what is fleeting and of no material consequence to the forward march of Essemaman.
Buzz
The news of the sister-city partnership has provoked discussions in Shama, which perhaps could have a significant bearing on the election of 2024.
At the heart of this discussion is the urgent need for support for initiatives that will give financial independence to parents and enhance the employability of the youth and a general sense of economic prosperity, which invariably will propel Shama to greater heights.
“I’m training to become a world-class football. Imagine that I am identified by the scouts coming, and a foreign team shows interest in me. Such an opportunity will not only give me, my family and close associates some form of economic advantage but also put the name of Shama on the international stage when I excel outside. I will encourage and give my vote to the one who can create such an opportunity for, not just me, but the youth of Shama, said 18-year-old Evans Anum of Apo.
Michael Amponsah is a businessman in Shama and has also heard the news of the Shama and Udine partnership and says, “It will be of immense significance to me if I’m able to connect with a business interest in Udine. There are several investment opportunities here in Shama, and I look forward to seeing what this partnership will bring. I am already thrilled about the prospects.
