Paynesville and Hamilton Sign Historic Sister City Agreement

Paynesville City in Liberia and the City of Hamilton in Canada have officially signed a sister city agreement, marking Hamilton’s first such partnership in Africa and opening new opportunities for international cooperation.

The signing ceremony, held virtually, brought together city officials, community leaders, and partners who have long championed the relationship.

Paynesville Mayor Robert S. Bestman II hailed the milestone, crediting his predecessors and Canadian partners for laying the foundation. He pointed to Hamilton’s advances in affordable housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and community engagement as examples for Paynesville to emulate.

“As we say in Liberia, government is continuity. I am picking up from where my predecessors left off, and I want to acknowledge them and appreciate their efforts. There are many good lessons we can learn from Hamilton to improve Paynesville, from tackling drug addiction to building community capacity. ” Mayor Bestman said

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath described the partnership as a symbol of global connection and positivity.
“As the mayor of Hamilton, I’m incredibly proud to announce that we have formalized the sister city relationship with Paynesville. These relationships create space for so much positivity, and today is a true reflection of that spirit.” She said.

The nonprofit Empowerment Squared, founded by Liberian-born Leo N. Johnson in Canada, played a central role in building the partnership. Its initiatives include the Liberian Learning Center in Paynesville, launched earlier this year, which has become a beacon of education and community development.

Hamilton Public Library CEO Paul Takala commended the collaboration, stressing that education and empowerment are at the heart of the partnership’s vision. “Education is not filling a bucket; it’s lighting a fire,” he noted, adding that Empowerment Squared has inspired youth and families on both continents.

The ceremony also featured remarks from University of Liberia President Dr. Lailey Maparyan, who highlighted her personal ties to Paynesville and pledged future collaboration between the university and the Liberian Learning Center.

Leo Johnson, Empowerment Squared’s CEO, praised the collective effort behind the agreement. “We are here because people believed in this vision, made phone calls, opened doors, and invested in community empowerment,” he said. “The best is still ahead.”

Hamilton business leader and McMaster University professor Mark John Stewart recalled more than a decade of collaboration with Johnson that helped pave the way for the partnership. He emphasized that the sister city relationship represents “real relationships, shared vision, and building a better future together.”

Approved unanimously by Hamilton City Council on February 14, 2024, the agreement is expected to foster cooperation in education, youth development, healthcare, infrastructure, and social programs, while strengthening ties between Liberians and Canadians.

“This relationship challenges us in Paynesville to think about Liberia, love Liberia, and build Liberia,” Mayor Bestman indicated.

Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor

Spread the love

Related posts:

LDEALDEA Dismantles Major Marijuana Plantation in Lofa County Forest China’s Shenzhen Mayor Leads High-Level Delegation to Liberia for Strategic Bilateral Talks REALISE Project Equips Service Providers with Climate-Smart Agriculture Skills to Transform Rural Farming

59 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Comments

Visitors

0026145
Total Visit : 26145

Follow Us on YouTube

47160
Total Users

Useful Links

Contacts

  • ELWA Junction, Paynesville, Liberia
  • +231-886987878
  • +231-772844544
  • info@suprememedialink.com
Facebook Youtube Instagram X-twitter
Copyright © 2026, Supreme Media Link, All Rights Reserved.