Apam (C/R), Feb 25, GNA - Dr Fabrizio de Agostino, Italian Ambassador in Ghana on Saturday lauded the high level of cooperation between Ghana and his country and urged both countries to use it to improve livelihoods in the two countries.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a development assistance initiative under which a group of Ghanaians living in Italy provided infrastructure to the Apam Catholic Hospital. Known as 'Ghanacoop', the initiative has been institutionalised to sustain the support from Ghanaians in Modena, Bologna and Vicenza provinces and other philanthropists abroad.

Apart from Apam Catholic Hospital, Ghanacoop has also

adopted the Mankessim Fistula Hospital. His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of

Cape Coast Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, through whose

efforts the Project was located in Apam and Mankessim,

commended members for contributing to the improvement of

lives in the communities. He appealed to other Ghanaians in Diaspora to emulate

Ghanacoop. Dr Ebenezer Amekah, Acting Medical Superintendent of

Apam Catholic Hospital, commended Ghanacoop for assisting

the Hospital to complete an Accident and Emergency Centre,

started in May 2007. Mr Thomas McCarthy, President of Ghanacoop said his

group also established trade relationship between some farmers

back home and fresh fruit buyers in Italy. Ms Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive, commended

Ghanacoop for setting up solar panels to bolster the energy

needs of the Gomoa Simbrofo community, near Apam.