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Little Rock hosts Cape Coast delegation and advances friendship-city pathway toward sister-city recommendation in 2027
Summary
At the June 16 Little Rock City Board meeting, the board welcomed officials from Cape Coast, Ghana; city staff said the relationship is a two-year 'friendship city' pathway and that the board will consider formal sister-city recognition in 2027. Delegates emphasized cultural, education and commerce ties and extended an invitation for the mayor to visit Cape Coast.
At its June 16 meeting, the Little Rock City Board of Directors welcomed a delegation from Cape Coast, Ghana, and heard that the relationship is on a two-year "friendship city" pathway with a recommendation to formalize a sister-city relationship expected in 2027.
Amber Jackson, the city's Chief Engagement and Opportunity Officer, introduced the visitors and said the city has worked several years to develop a partnership with a meaningful focus on "culture, education, and economic development." "This moment represents several years of intentional work," Brandon Morris, a member of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, told the board as he introduced the delegation.
Ken Kator, who identified himself as the representative of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, brought greetings from the people and officials of Cape Coast and described three pillars of the partnership: tourism, education and commerce. "Our invitation to Honorable Mayor to visit Cape Coast still stands," Kator said, adding that the relationship recognizes historical ties between the two communities and seeks a forward-looking partnership.
Board members said the effort began years ago, accelerated after international travel resumed, and included reciprocal visits in 2023 and 2025. Jackson told the board the friendship-city status is a two-year pathway, and city staff expect to return in 2027 with a recommendation to formalize Cape Coast as an official sister city pending the board's approval.
Why it matters: Sister-city or friendship-city partnerships are intended to promote cultural exchange, educational collaboration and economic ties. City officials said the Cape Coast relationship aims to build long-term programs in those areas and to strengthen people-to-people connections. The delegation's remarks also referenced the historical context of Cape Coast’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and framed the partnership as one of reconciliation and future cooperation.
Next steps: City staff and the Sister Cities Commission will continue work on the partnership over the two-year friendship period and return to the board with a formal recommendation in 2027.
