… Looking back into the year 2007

The year 2007 has fizzled out into thin air but if activities and developments within the Ghanaian community in Italy is anything to go by then their prospects looks good.

This is a community of Ghanaians abroad that some few years ago were relatively in the shade in the midst of their compatriots elsewhere in Europe and the US, you hardly read something significant about them, but all that is changing now. Italian laws on immigrants doesn’t give much room for the foreign national to make progress but Ghanaians in Italy are now coming from their shells, despite the constraints, and breaking new grounds.

In the year 2007, Ghana’s image was projected in splendid fashion through the celebration of its 50th year of Independence anniversary, more Ghanaians became entrepreneurs, the doors were opened wider for the Ghana entertainment industry to come to Italy, Miss Ghana in Italy was a success, the impasse over passport fee increment between the Ghana Embassy in Rome and the Ghanaian community in Italy, led by their leaders – COGNAI – was resolved. You can go down the list a little further.

The Ghana@50 in Italy projected a good image of Ghana in the eyes of many Italians and other foreign nationals in Italy. What really put the shine on the celebration is the manner Ghana’s culture under its traditional drumming, dancing costumes among others was displayed in various events across the country. It was the finest events ever held within the Ghanaian community here as Ghanaians showed themselves in their numbers and being proud of their country. A representative of the City Council in the city of Vicenza, Gianfranco Morselleto, who was at one of the events said in his remarks, “there has never been anything like this within the immigrants’ communities in Italy.” It couldn’t have been said better.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, and his able men and women at the Ghana Embassy put the icing on the cake in a grand finale to the celebration hosting a Charity Ball in Rome and honouring 15 deserving Ghanaians and Italians in Italy who have contributed immensely to the good course of the Ghanaian community. It’s the first of its kind for the community and that is going to spur people on to greater heights. Here special mention must be made of Dr. Kodwo Andah who received an Award in recognition of his academic excellence. He is the only African water expert having been invited to contribute to the UNESCO and encyclopaedia on life support systems. He is also author and co-author of 80 scientific papers published on a number of works with UNESCO. How many people will know of this man and his achievements without the Charity Ball Night?

I doff my hat off again for the Ghana Ambassador to Italy for resolving the issue over the passport fees increment which broke down cordial relation between the Ghana Embassy and leaders of the Ghanaian community in Italy. For years this community has not had the person of his calibre. Though he is still being ‘road-tested’ in the eyes of Ghanaians in Italy indications are he’ll pass the test. It could be stated that he has performed creditably within his one year in office and his idea of setting up a welfare fund for destitute Ghanaians in Italy and other projects for the community must also be commended. Having been through the rank and file of Ghanaian communities abroad he interacts, understands and responds better and if you have a boss who is approachable, reasons with you and takes a decision that’s a plus.

It’s interesting seeing how Ghanaians in Italy are becoming entrepreneurs, establishing their own businesses and also luring Italians to invest in Ghana. Come to think of it that even driving a taxi-cab or public transport in Italy calls for you to be a citizen of the country tells you some of the difficulties the immigrant faces here trying to make progress and that’s why these Ghanaians need to be commended for coming so far. I salute the efforts of some Ghanaian Associations and groups who have taken it upon themselves to help local communities back home in Ghana with financial support, sending hospital equipments and doing projects in some rural areas of Ghana. Mention must be made of Ghanacoop, a Ghanaian entity born out of the Ghana Association in the city, Modena, which has been turned into a big business organisation now importing large quantities of Ghana pineapples and other food crops, supplying supermarkets and shipping back to Ghana Italian pasta and wine. This is providing jobs for both Ghanaians in Italy and Ghana. Not only that, Ghanacoop is putting up projects in some Ghanaian villages providing pipe bore holes, electricity and helping in infrastructure works for the rural folks. I admire the hardworking attitude of its President, Thomas McCarthy, whose efforts is bringing the right results. He said in one of his statements: “I don’t like begging, I present to you a project, tell you what I can provide and together with what you have we can form a partnership so we work together.” Some food for thought for those who prefers to walk the corridors of government offices and international organisations always looking for assistance.

A business seminar involving Ghanaian and Italian entrepreneurs resident in Italy together with Italians having investments in Ghana held in the latter part of the year was a laudable beginning to form a Ghana/Italy Chamber of Commerce. The meeting brought to the fore problems and solutions of all involved in investing in Ghana.

Miss Ghana in Italy 2007 was a success and an improvement over the previous year but I have some worries. Most of the young ladies that paraded in the contest could not express themselves well in English and know little about Ghana’s history, one competitor even found it more comfortable to answer questions in Italian. Are we losing our identity? I think parents and guardians of Ghanaian children in Italy have a lot of home work to do and they must start now.

I did mention Ghana’s entertainment industry is finding its way to Italy and in the year 2007 celebrated Ghanaian artistes, Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Ofori Amponsah among others found themselves here. They are breaking new grounds and the big entertainment shows are coming to Italy.

The year provided the tonic for Ghanaians in Italy to excel in whatever field they choose and with that there must be no looking back.