President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday called on traditional authorities and local and foreign non-governmental organisations to partner government to improve the lives of the people. He commended and welcomed efforts by traditional leaders and non governmental organisations for their complementary role in nation building, adding that any activity that brought the community together must be encouraged. President Mills made the call when a high powered delegation from the Sister Cities International, led by its Board Chairman Michael Hyatt, called on him at the Castle. The delegation is attending the Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation's Second Annual Conference in Accra. President Mills described the visit of the delegation, which included very prominent Ghanaian traditional leaders, as a privilege and honour, saying the activities of the sister cities, traditional rulers and government would go to the benefit of the people. He said both parties stood to benefit from such alliances despite their levels of development. Created by former US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, US based Sister Cities is an international non-profit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. It operates in more than 600 communities in the US, partnered in more than 2,500 communities in over 130 countries around the world including Ghana, where it has four sister cities. The organization strives to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development. President Mills reiterated the need for power to be used to satisfy and raise the standard of living of the people and said government would encourage such exchanges that went to satisfy the core values of progress and healthy partnerships with the people. He said government would encourage a peaceful atmosphere to attract good partnership and investors, and expressed the hope that the link between US Sister Cities would be extended to more communities. President Mills later expressed his personal appreciation to Mr Robert Packham, former Mayor of Hanoover, and his wife Linda, for the warm reception they gave him on a visit he made to that city some time ago. The Packhams, who were part of the delegation, also presented a plaque to the President. Mr Hyatt gave the assurance that the Association would continue its relationship with Africa and offer support for poverty alleviation. Some of the members of the delegation were Nana S.K.B. Asante, Asante Asokore Hene, Wulugunaba Prof John Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs, Kumbun Naa Yiri, Alhaji Iddrisu Abu and Mamaga Amgaega Kofibra, Queenmother of Peki Traditional Area. Source: GNA