Greetings from Ghana
Candice Boutilier/Columbia Basin HeraldWulensi Sister City representative Honorable District Chief Executive Thomas Donkor Ogajah presented Othello Mayor Shannon McKay with a sash that states "Greetings from Ghana" Monday afternoon.
OTHELLO - Othello and Wulensi Sister City representatives are touring Othello this week.
Three representatives from Wulensi, a town in Ghana, Africa, came to Othello with a priority to learn about irrigation techniques in Othello.
Honorable District Chief Executive Thomas Donkor Ogajah, Honorable member of Parliament Karim Wumbei and agricultural engineer Abdulai Osman were flown over an irrigation project earlier this week.
Wumbei laughed when he said it was the first time he flew in such a small plane and it made him a little nervous.
He photographed the project from the sky to keep as a reference.
Wumbei said the soil in Wulensi is fertile, but if it doesn't rain, the crops fail. He said it's important for them to learn irrigation techniques from Othello to improve irrigation in Wulensi to ensure crops are stable year-round.
He said they are also learning how to be more efficient by improving tools concerning harvesting and planting. Currently it's done by hand. One person can plant an acre or two of a crop, but not much more, Wumbei said. He hopes to find a way to plant larger crops.
He said he is also excited to learn about the education system in Othello.
On Monday afternoon, Donkor Ogajah and McKay exchanged gifts with each other.
The three representatives were given Sandhill Crane Festival hats, Columbia Basin books and keys to the city.
Donkor Ogajah gave the city council wooden trinkets that stated "Greetings from Africa, the Land of Culture" and "Greetings from Ghana, the Land of Gold."
They were also given sashes that stated, "Greetings from Ghana."
Donkor Ogajah also gave bracelets indicating social status.
"We're so grateful and so happy to become sister cities," he said.
Donkor Ogajah said he is excited to learn about techniques and skills that could create jobs and increase productivity in Ghana.
In September 2007, representatives from Wulensi came to Othello and signed a contract making their sister city agreement official. Since then, representatives from Othello visited Wulensi to learn about their culture and to see how they can help each other.
This week marks the second visit of representatives from Wulensi in Othello.