By: Edwin N Khakie
Sister Cities International has kicked off the African Mayors Leadership and Development Conference in Gbarnga, Liberia, bringing together mayors from across the country to discuss strategies for improving urban development.
Gbarnga, Bong County, March 28, 2025: The three-day event, which started on March 27, 2025, is set to run through March 29, 2025, and is focused on building bridges between cities, fostering leadership effectiveness, and promoting collaboration.
According to Ms. Effua McGowan, the Country Representative for Sister Cities International, the conference aims to develop strategies and provide networking opportunities to enhance city management and development across Liberia.
The conference according to Ms. Effua will center on leadership effectiveness, team building, community engagement, trust-building, and the sharing of best practices.
McGowan further explained that Sister Cities International was founded to assist American mayors by offering support and facilitating partnerships with cities around the world.
The conference seeks to strengthen these ties and create a platform for mutual growth and exchange of ideas.
During the opening ceremony, the mayors of Gbarnga and Paynesville, Mayor Bestman and Mayor Gallah Varplaih, expressed their gratitude to Sister Cities for organizing this important conference.
They emphasized that the event would provide valuable insights into urban development, and however, spoke on the importance of decentralizing government to empower municipal governments with full authority.
They believe the conference will be a crucial platform for mayors and city leaders to brainstorm and strategize for the betterment of cities across Liberia, highlighting the importance of collaboration and community-driven solutions in addressing urban challenges.
