…opening ceremony launched in Vicenza.
Activities planned by Ghanaians in Italy towards Ghana’s 50 years of Independence, in March next year, took off in a spectacular function with a dinner and dance at an exclusive restaurant in Vicenza.

The ‘Alla Campagna’ 500-seater restaurant comfortably accommodated the many Ghanaians who attended the opening ceremony, which marked the beginning of a series of events planned to commemorate the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana in Italy.

It was also an occasion set aside to raise funds for the programs lined up which has been splashed out over a 4-month period ending on March 10, 2007.

The city of Vicenza was chosen by the Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI) ahead of three other bidding cities, Brescia, Modena and Udine, to host the events.

Omari Somuah, the President of COGNAI and incidentally also President of the Ghana Nationals Association in Vicenza (GHANAVI) speaking at the opening ceremony highlighted some of the events which will all come on in Vicenza. Among them were Gospel Music Competition, Ghana’s Arts and Crafts exhibition and talents shows, Women’s Forum with the popular programme ‘Mmaa Nkomo’ (Women’s Affairs), a football match involving Ghana’s two top clubs – Hearts/Kotoko and a dinner dance where a life band would perform behind some of Ghana’s current popular musical artistes.

Not surprising, the Ghana Embassy in Rome which of late has been taken keen interest in activities involving the Ghanaian communities in Italy was represented at the function. Honorable Bartels-Kodwo, the Mission’s Consul Minister, took his seat among various distinguish personalities in a function that went on into the early hours of the morning. He gave a brief speech enjoining Ghanaians in Italy to get behind the programmes planned to make the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee successful.

Honorable Bartels-Kodwo who previously worked in the Mission between 1988-1992, explained to his countrymen the functions of the Embassy in Rome indicating that the Mission is at the disposal of Ghanaians in Italy to help them. He said during his first tenure of office at the Embassy he inaugurated some of the Associations across the country and seeing their efforts he is not surprised about the progress made by COGNAI and the local Associations particularly on the events planned for Ghana’s 50 years of Independence.

A representative of sponsors of the Hearts/Kotoko match, Roy Arthur of Atlas Management Group of Companies, was present to unveil the trophy, Ghana @ 50 Cup, which will be presented to the eventual winner plus a Golden Boot Award to the best player. He said plans to feature the two teams in Vicenza is in its advanced stages and come January representatives of the two clubs will be in Vicenza to conclude the signing contracts for the match.

The occasion provided an opportunity where a member of the Vicenza Association, Agyenim Boateng, gave the history of Ghana before and after Independence.

The night under which sumptuous Italian dishes were served was also graced with gospel music provided by Emelia Okrah who appears to be Vicenza’s answer to Florence Eshun of Reggio Emilia in gospel songs. Her inspirational song, ‘Believe in God’ as expected lifted people off their seats. In a later interview she revealed she is about to release her latest album.

Such occasions among Ghanaian communities cannot end without people taking the dancing floor after having cleaned their plates of delicious varieties of Italian dishes and so when the DJ struck some of the old Ghanaian musical highlife tunes of the 60’s the young ones were kept at bay leaving the aged legs to take control of the floor, but they had their moments of the excitement with some of the latest hip-life songs.

With this launching of programs for Ghana’s 50th Anniversary next year the stage has now been set to once again unfold the culture of Ghana abroad. Vicenza Association has made concrete assurance to deliver on this and sell Ghana in a series of events that will out stage the previous colorful Independence Day celebration organised in the city of Modena.