Ghana @50 in Italy goes into another gear
Ghanaians in Italy put the celebration marking Ghana’s 50 years of Independence into another gear with a Gospel Night Concert in Vicenza. For the second time in two weeks, the Italian city of Vicenza came under focus among the Ghanaian communities in Italy.

Though this event was shifted to a quiet location, in Schio, 20 kilometers from the busy city centre, that didn’t diminish the euphoria which has gathered around the celebration here so far.

I have not seen many Ghanaian churches here of different denominations with their choir come together with solo gospel artistes, singing groups all under one umbrella to perform like this.

The youths, their parents, Pastors of the various churches, elders and other African nationals packed the Theatre Pasubio auditorium in this outskirt of the city which I understand houses about 1,000 Ghanaians, a fifth of the population of Ghanaians in Vicenza.

Another great event organized by Ghanaians in Italy under the directions of Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI). Omari Somuah, COGNAI President, the man on whose shoulders all activities of the Council revolves and his gallant team deserve commendation for the able manner they are putting together all activities marking the celebration within the Ghanaian communities in Italy and marketing Ghana on a different plain despite very tight financial constraints. Once again the Italian local TV crew of Vicenza was there to capture some of the glorious moments.

The Hearts/Kotoko soccer match is expected to come on March 3 in the city and its billing is already selling itself especially among fans of the two teams within the Ghanaian communities here, many people are making enquiries to get themselves ready to give the teams a rousing treat. If the organizers of this big match between Ghana’s two most accomplished football clubs needed a recipe for the occasion they got it on this Gospel Night Show.

Though the event started an hour and half behind schedule it picked up fast with great performances.

But not before some words of spiritual strength from Pastor George Assumani and Pastor Bretwum who planted a great deal of hope and blessing upon the nation Ghana. Every word of goodwill and prosperity they poured on Ghana was responded with cheers and dancing from the excited audience.

Churches that were represented, more than 10 of them, included, Christian Action Faith Ministry, C.C.I.C., Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God, New Life Pentecostal, S.D.A. and the Catholic Church.

When it comes to digging the past on Ghana, Agyekum Boateng, the man who is history all over knows the over 500 year-old history of Ghana deep inside at the back of his palm. The Ashanti born Ghanaian may not have his PhD on Ghana’s history but he took the audience through over 500 years of rugged history of Ghana’s ancestors from 1492 as they travelled from Egypt through Timbuktu in Mali then unto the shores of the present day Ghana.

He was given only 10 minutes of the loaded night to tell the audience, especially the youths, about Ghana but he took his allocated time beyond the limit and no one raised a finger against it because he was pouring out intrinsic facts and figures about the Danes, Portuguese, Dutch, British, their castles, their encounters with Ghanaians hundreds of years ago and the wars with the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana, past governments since independence from the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to the present day government of President Kufuor. It was the right needed information for an occasion like this and you may doff your hat off for him.

S.D.A. Choir, smartly dressed in black and white outfit under their leader, Edward Owusu, were the first to appear on stage in the singing contest with a song, ‘Muntie’ (listen). Pastor Owusu Ansah of the Unity Pentecostal Church then got the entire audience into intensive intercessional prayers for the country, Ghana. Soloist, Robert Sampong, a.k.a. ‘Psalmpong’ overwhelmed the packed house with one of his well-written gospel songs. I’m told he sings at various churches and on his performance who wouldn’t be there when he’s in a church to sing. The Unity Choir led by Benedetta Konamah came next, followed by the twinkle twinkle little stars of the night, Eunice Agyemang and her two sisters in a song entitled: ‘wagye me’, the words in the song indicates, ‘the LORD has saved me’. They are all young girls under the age of 12 but performed wonderfully well receiving the audience applause.

Some others who appeared on stage were Fred Frimpong, the C.C.I.C. Choir, Bertha Fosu, Mike Asabir, Frank and Dela, Mavis Donkor, Gertrude Owusu, and Francesca Boasiako.

Were there some outstanding performers? Yes, and among them was the little boy John Boateng simply called ‘Junior’ who turned the night’s back infront when in the final stages of the concert he showed up on stage with a group as the group’s drummer. He looked more like the drummer’s little son out there to worry his father during the concert than the drummer himself. At the age of 7, the little genius with his size was completely dwarfed by the drums instruments he sat behind but he struck the 12-piece instrument infront of him with ease and precision producing the best notes to back his group. The audience were stunned and the applause was overwhelming. A good night to celebrate Ghana’s Golden Jubilee in Italy, the soul train in the next series of activities stops over on February 24 in Verona, a city some 40 kilometers from Vicenza,

This is the city where Romeo and Juliet were buried and is packed with history just like many other Italian cities. The day’s event is labeled ‘Kaba Show’ where Ghana’s cultural costume especially the ladies would be show cased plus other interesting events. I’m booking my ticket for a front seat in advance, based on what I’ve seen so far here under activities marking Ghana @ 50, certainly I won’t be disappointed.

- Reggie Tagoe in Vicenza, Italy