Brong Ahafo Citizens Union (BACU) in Emilia Romagna Region (Italy) has been inaugurated at a colorful ceremony in the city, Modena.

Once again, an extraordinary show that will go into the records about Ghanaians in Italy, with trappings of their culture - exotic costumes, traditional drumming and dances - was unfolded before a packed audience among them some few Italians who might have taken a message home about Ghana. It was a ‘sweet’ taste of Ghana’s rich culture. But before anything, mention must be made of the beautiful auditorium – Forum Guido Monzani – where the event was held, owned by one of the most popular Banks in Italy, ‘Banca Populare’. The exquisite nature of the near 600-seater with its oval-shaped seating arrangements clearly demonstrates the ingenuity of Italian’s art and at building such structures – it’s splendid and might not come cheap for the Union.

I have witnessed such events by Ghanaians in Italy but never seen four traditional chiefs, all invited from Ghana, for a single event such as this one. The special invited guests were led by Oseadeèyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV (Paramount Chief of Techiman Traditional Area). The others were: Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II (Hansua and Banmuhene of Techiman), Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II (Adontenhene of Techiman) and Nana Obiri Yeboah Kokroko (Bamire and Tumtuhene of Techiman).

The four were joined by Nana Frimpong Ababio (Nseniahene of Dormaa Ahenkro Traditonal Area) who resides in Germany. There were other Chiefs and Queenmothers, among them, Nana Kumi Ababio II and his Queenmother- Nana Akua Boateng, Nana Ekuatima and Obaahimaa Adubaah - all residing in Italy. Also present was Mr. Charles Baah (Minister and Head of Consular Section at the Ghana Embassy in Rome) who deputized for the Ghana Ambassador to Italy – Her Excellency Mrs. Evelyn Anita Stokes-Hayford.

In a pre-interview with Oseadeéyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV before his royal entry into the main bowl of the auditorium he praised the B. A. Union in Emilia Romagna for the extraordinary welcome accorded him and his entourage since they arrived in Italy and for making the necessary arrangement for him to pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of the city, Modena - Dr. Georgio Pighi - and the Mayor of the Province, Vignola – Dr. Daria Denti. He said useful discussions were held and also visited places involved in the preservation of fruits. “I have noticed a strong bond of friendship and unity within our people here and hope such spirit of togetherness and love will continue to strengthen them towards the progress of our Region in Ghana,” he mentioned.

When he made his entry into the auditorium in the company of the four other chiefs and the Minister, the pomp and pageantry wasn’t far from what can be witnessed in Ghana. It proceeded much longer than expected because the audience were enjoying it and they responded with an ovation that went beyond description.

It was more than an inaugural event and even after ‘Nana’ and his entourage were seated the display of one of Ghana’s finest sides in cultural dances continued – the rhythm and songs being provided by the ‘Fontomfrom’ cultural group based in Udine – as the ‘adowa’ and ‘kete’ dancers with their ‘hop’ and ‘pop’ movements put up an amazing display in front of the chiefs. It got so exciting Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II threw himself into the midst of the excitement to show his dancing skills which was welcomed with cheers from the audience. After an initial introduction of chiefs and specials guests, Angela Akwabea, wearing a neatly-cut Ghanaian dress, sang the Ghana National Anthem with an outstanding voice. The four chiefs from Ghana did not come only to show flamboyance and acts of embellishments but took the podium to provide a wealth of information about the Brong Ahafo Region and on Investment possibilities. Oseadeéyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV delivered an inspiring speech when he went down into history of the Region. He said among other things, the Brong Ahafo kingdom emerged somewhere in the latter part of the 13th century and it was the first centralized Akan State to have emerged. He expressed his profound gratitude to the Union members for the invitation to him and the other chiefs for the ceremony. “Know that you came from somewhere, if not from the B. A. Region, think about home (Ghana) and save for the possibility of investment,” he advised his fellow natives. He also asked the Union members to live as brothers and sisters coming from one community and be committed to Ghana whilst obeying the laws of Italy. His final words with the information that Aduana Stars Football Club from the Region are the Premier League Champions in Ghana today and that the Club has come to stay in Division One was greeted with loud applause from the audience.

Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II also encouraged Ghanaians in Italy to work hard to save for the future. He said: “All the chiefs who have come from Ghana are well educated and I urge you to encourage your children to have sound education and that will profit them in future. You must also engage yourselves in profitable ventures and go for the opportunity that prevails in Italy. In his address, Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II, went into details in the areas of Trade and Investments in the Region. He said an estimated value of 263.43 million Ghana cedis (equivalent to 181.16 million dollars) worth of investments in the Region was recorded in the first quarter of this year which showed a significant increase of more than 900% compared to last year (2009) within the same period. “The Foreign Direct Investment (F.D.I.) component recorded in the first quarter of 2010 he indicated was also estimated to 225.68 million Ghana cedis (equivalent to 161.34 million dollars) representing 85.75% of the estimated value, an increase of about 876% compared to within the same period last year,” he stated. He also talked about the Region, which covers 39,557 sq. km., as the second largest Region which is 16.6% of the land mark of Ghana saying the central point of Ghana’s land mark is in the Region at Kintampo.

The Adontenhene statistical data provided more information about the Region; among them 1,151 km road network, the Region contributing about 30% of Ghana’s Agricultural food requirements which has given it the accolade ‘the bread basket of Ghana’, with an enormous amount of produce such as cashew nuts, mangoes, cassava, maize, yam, tomatoes and cocoa into which people can invest. He also mentioned poultry, cattle and sheep rearing, bee keeping and large clay deposits in the Region which people can develop into bricks and tiles for the housing industry. His unending list also referred to minerals, the Bui Dam (under construction), water- falls, tourism, large national parks for game reserves and aviation where investors can partner to build an airport. Mr. Charles Baah who also spoke to the gathering extended a good will message from the Ghana Ambassador to Italy to the Union. ”I thank the Executive members of BACU for this occasion knowing that unity always strengthens communities. Show the kind of love you have shown throughout the Union’s existence,” he advised and took the opportunity to inform the audience the Embassy now has a machine for the processing of biometric passport and Ghanaians coming to the Embassy for the document will have it processed on the same day. The most welcomed statement he made was when he mentioned Consular Office personals will visit cities in Italy to receive applications for the Ghana passport and other documents – an operation he called ‘Consular Services at your door steps’. The Embassy, he explained, has considered this to reduce the cost involved for Ghanaians who have to travel long distances to Rome to process their documents. Events of the day also saw an address by Pastor Joe Ali (Chairman of BACU) before the Secretary of the Union, Mark Acheampong, took the podium to explain the aims of the Union; which is to promote unity and healthy relation among its members, to foster an intercultural co-existence, to provide social relief in the event of illness, accident, disabilities, distress and bereavement. The Union will participate, where necessary, in matters affecting social, political and economic development in the Brong Ahafo Region, according to the Secretary. The15-member Committee of the Union in addition to the Patrons and Advisers were introduced to the audience before Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II cut the tape to officially declare the Union inaugurated.

There was an added grandeur ceremony when Jonas Yaw Boateng and Grace Owusua were enstooled as BACU Chief and Queenmother. The two stood before Oseadeèyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV and his kingsmen to swear an oath of allegiance amid again traditional drumming.

As the function came to an end there were clear indications the image of Ghana has been exhibited to a wide audience in a spectacular fashion. The Ghanaian youths who have no idea about what the culture of their country looks like saw it in captivating colors. The information provided by the chiefs is going to contribute to the well being of the Brong Ahafo Region and Ghana as whole in the course of the country’s development.