The Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI) has held a meeting in the Italian city, Udine.

Present were 32 members of the Council representing some of the 20 Ghanaian Associations in Italy, among them were members from the Association in Vicenza, Brescia, Pordenone, Bologna and Rome whose representatives travelled over 800 kilometres to make it to the upper north in Udine.

Presided by the President of the Council, Omari Somuah, the meeting was among other matters to deliberate on activities organised by COGNAI in commemoration of Ghana’s 50th year celebration of Independence in Italy, a special Conference in Brussels - attended by the President and Secretary - centred on harnessing skilled immigrants labour and means of employing such professionals in the European Union. It also went further to discuss the brain drain and brain gain issue within under developed countries and economic assistance towards immigrants returnees, all of which was raised at the Brussels meeting. The Council also considered complaints against the Italian Embassy in Accra on allegation of bribery and corruption which many Ghanaians resident in Italy claim is delaying family reunion visa application of their spouse and children in joining them in Italy.

The President of Udine Association, Mr. Aduko, giving an initial remark to open the meeting welcomed all members present and called for a peaceful discussion to yield fruitful decisions for the welfare of the entire Ghanaian communities in Italy.

The General Secretary of the Council, Gilbert Abasimi, briefed members on the programs hosted by COGNAI on the Ghana@50 anniversary which were, an inaugural Dinner Dance (in Vicenza), a Youth Talent Show (in Vicenza), Ghanaian Women’s Day (in Verona), Gospel Night Show (in Vicenza) and the D-Day of the celebration also held in Vicenza at 'Paladio della Sport - a Sport Complex. Abasimi said all the events received good patronage and enjoyed by people who attended adding they greatly appreciated the socio-cultural content. He however pointed out that the economic aspect of some of the programs brought loses to the Ghana Association in Vicenza.

Some members argued the absence of Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy -His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama - diminished the euphoria surrounding the D-Day event and thus possible gains but his absence was justified by the General Secretary explaining the Honorable Statesman was on a similar program in Rome on the same day. The Council, however, asked the President to table before the Ambassador the adverse effect of his absence at such events. Reviewing activities on the events for the anniversary some members called for the cancellation of football matches from Independence celebrations arguing it often produces injuries and also consumes time. A long heated debate resulted from the proposal after which the Council finally decided on the cancellation of all football tournaments for Independence celebration on a majority decision. Making comments on the attitude of some member Associations with regards to meetings, the President asked them to take communication from the Council Secretariat seriously and act with response on invitation to meetings.

Deliberating on election for the Executive Committee, some members called for a general election instead of a by-election for vacant positions on the Committee. The President, Somuah, in a statement said all Council members are equal and eligible of being elected Executive members and asked the Council to evaluate whether to have fresh elections or by-election adding the present Executives term of office has expired. Members by general consensus agreed to hold election for Executive Committee members on October 13, 2007 in Vicenza.

Presenting a report on the EU Conference in Brussels, Gilbert Abasimi, mentioned projects are being considered as economic assistance to immigrants returnees. He said IOM, MIDA, Ghana/Senegal program have all put in projects of which 6 Ghanaian Associations won grants for their projects.

Speaking on the complaints against the Italian Embassy in Accra on wide spread allegation of bribery and corruption which it is believed is delaying visa application the General Secretary said the matter would be taken on seriously by the Council. The President of the Council produced a drafted letter by one of the Associations which is meant for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs copied to the Italian Embassy in Accra and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana. The General Secretary requested the production of evidences and/or instances of incidents on the allegation for COGNAI to write a formal letter on the matter to the appropriate authorities. He asked all respective GNAs to get such materials to the Secretariat of the Council as early as possible.

The Council finally discussed the hosting of Miss Ghana in Italy 2007 scheduled to come on in Vicenza in the month of October. Registration of contestants is expected to be finalized by September 15 whilst the Council looks for sponsorship for the event.