Ghanaians living in Italy are very happy though they have a greater challenge, that is, the unemployment.

The world economic crises and financial crunch that has affected every living being directly or indirectly, has also affected the Italians to some extent, but the heaviest blow went to the foreigners living in Italy.

Statistics available indicate that about 30% of the foreign workers in Italy are now unemployed either due to lost of job for company retrenchment measures or closure. But some are also unemployed because of the non availability of the jobs.

On the Ghanaian component, about 40% of the working force in Italy are affected. The job suspension with government support, termed ?cassa integrazione? and jagged ? poco lavoro? is affecting a lot of Ghanaians and only God Almighty gives many the live force to continue to reside in Italy.

As the saying goes ?he who laughs last laughs best? Ghanaians in Italy were denied the privilege of having an Ambassador on time, but after almost a year?s delay, now they are smiling behind Mad Anita who has started to give strong hopes and aspirations to the Ghanaian Diaspora in Italy.

We learnt that President Mills appointed Madam Evelyn Anita Stokes Hayford amidst pressures from some groups of Ghanaians living in Italy but the Executive of Ghana Government stood forthright and sent a dear mother in the person of Madam Anita to serve her children in this crises stroken Country.

Despite the financial constrains that Ghanaians in Italy face because of the no job issue One normally has to travel from the north, south east and west of Italy to the Ghana Mission in Rome to have any documentation and consultancy matters solved. Considering the geological shape of Italy, travelling to Rome entails a median Transportation expenditure of about €150,00 for those travelling from the extreme ends of Italy to Rome, so even for a service that may cost €30,00 one has to incur this Transport expenditure plus food and drink costs to have it done.

Her Excellency Madadm Anita and her zealant Minister Consular Mr. Charles Baah have introduce what they termed Consular Services at your door step , with this service personnel at the embassy come to communities at appointed dates, pre-advertised on radio stations here in Italy to create awareness of dates and the venue, and on the appointed dates the Embassy staff will offer consultation and also collect all Passport applications, documents for translation/declarations, send them to Rome and after completion forward them to applicants through the COGNAI and its affiliates. A service package immensely coadiuvated by the COGNAI and its affiliates the GNAs.

The programme which had a successful beginning last week end at Vago in the Province of Verona witnessed Ghanaian residents from that Province and neibouring Provinces trooping to Vago in their numbers, especially mothers and their babies.

It is was surely a big relief to many Ghanaians because they never went through the tough time they go through anytime they travel to Rome, more so because of the efficient services provided by the local Ghana Association, GNA ? VR. Really this practice is a very good one and I wish other Ghanaian Missions abroad will emulate, so that it will lower the stress Ghanaians go through in foreign land.

Her Excellency Madam Anita is one of the Ghanaian diplomats that I respect in recent times, she has made it clear to all Ghanaians in Italy that President Atta -Mills sent her to Italy to serve all Ghanaians and that she is not here to do any politics, but as a symbolical representation of the father of Ghana and thus act as mother for all Ghanaians living in Italy. She added in her maiden address to Ghanaians that she will work with COGNAI and with all other Ghanaians associations or groupings in Italy irrespective of their political affiliation. Mad. Anita has punctuality to her credit for she is always reports to her official appointments ahead of time irrespective her busy schedules.

I want to thank the president of Ghana, His Excellency Prof. John Evans Fifii Atta Mills for giving us such a humble and god fearing mother as an ambassador to Italy.

 Personally I want to use this meduim to thank the Ghana Embassy in Rome and its able social staff lead by her Excellency Madam Anita and minister Charles Baah, Mr. Aikins Abrokwah, Mr. Sarfo, etc for all that they are doing in making Ghanaians stay in Italy comfortable.

May the good god richly bless you all.

I also want to thank the COGNAI executives especially the president Mr. Kofi Omari Somuah, the General secretary Mr. Gilbert Abilinsa Abasimi and the entire executives of COGNAI and all the executives of various Ghanaian Nationals Associations (GNAs) for their active participation and collaboration with the Ghana Embassy programme of Consular Services at your door step.

May the Good Lord bless you all. Thank you.

From

Kirk-Mensah

(COGNAI youth Italy)