The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) has released over GH¢100,000 for the construction of the first phase of a cattle market in the Metropolis. The market upon completion would help facilitate the transportation of cattle, goats and other animals from Burkina-Faso and Niger to Tamale in the Northern Region, and also save cattle dealers from the south the additional cost of travelling to the two neighbouring countries for their business. Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two sister-cities of Tamale and Niamey Commune II in Tamale on Tuesday. Mr Adam and Mr Seyni Mounkaila, Mayor of Niamey Commune II signed the MOU for the two sister-cities. The Sister-City relationship is aimed at promoting cooperation and socio-economic development between the two cities. Mr Adam said the cattle market would also boost the production of leather and milk in the country and generate other businesses that would help provide employment for the people. Mr Shahnun Morgtari, Ghana's Ambassador to Burkina Faso said sister-city relationships were a strong tool for fostering closer ties between countries, which had similar cultures and traditions. He entreated the assembly members of the two sister-cities to work hard to ensure that the relationship was well established, nurtured and sustained for the mutual benefit of their citizens. Mr Morgtari said Ghana shared borders with mainly French speaking countries and it was therefore important that Ghanaians took the study of the French language seriously to enable them to interact with their French counterparts. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, said Sister-City relationships were the building blocks for the formation of continental bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He appealed to traditional rulers to show more interest in sister-city relationships since they were opportunities to showcase their rich culture. Source: GNA