Major League Soccer star Harrison Afful has pledged his unflinching support to ensure the Columbus Ohio-Accra sister city partnership becomes a huge success.

This was after the Ghana international interacted with Tim Sword, president of the Greater Columbus Sister Cities International on Tuesday.

''It was an honor to meet Columbus Crew SC star player Harrison Afful today in the offices of the Greater Columbus Sister Cities International. Besides, being a world renowned soccer player he also serves as a cultural ambassador for Ghana in Columbus,'' Sword said after the meeting                     

''He is a brilliant example of the value of the sister city relationship between Columbus Ohio and Accra Ghana.                       

''It was my privilege to discuss with him opportunities to enhance our sister city relationship and to create new opportunities for both of our native communities.''

In 2015, then Accra Mayor Alfred Oko Vanderpuije of Accra and his Columbus counterpart Mayor Coleman went into a formal partnership.

The multi-dimensional partnership seeks to create exchanges in economic development, arts & culture, education, as well as promote environmental stewardship.

Afful, who plays for Columbus Crew and regards himself as Cultural Ambassador, wants to contribute his quota  to ensure a sustainable sister city relationship.

''I love this city and when I heard the news after visiting the US ambassador in Ghana, my team took the initiative play our role and the area Education and poverty alleviation is on major concern,'' the defender said.

''Sports can be a major tool and so I have pledged to give my all to Mr Sword and the Greater Columbus Sister Cities International. He is a nice man and we can work together to achieve our goals.''

Afful is one of four Ghanaian players at Columbus Crew this season after the club signed Mohammed Abu, Jonathan Mensah and draft pick Lalas Abubakar.