Ghana’s new Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, hosted the International and Italian media at the Embassy Conference Hall in Rome to officially launch activities to mark Ghana’s 50 years of Independence by the Mission in Italy.

The Ambassador accompanied by First Secretary and Head of Chancellery, Hon. Aikins Abrokwa, Consul Minister Jonathan Bartels-Kodwo, James K. Nyasembi - Minister Conselor for Trade and Investment, Hon. Kwaku Nicol – alternative Permanent Representative to FAO and WFP and some staffs of the Mission warmly received their guests in an event which the Ambassador unfolded programs which will last almost a year in commemoration of the anniversary.

The Mission in Rome is undergoing an extensive renovation on its building, normal service to the public was on course but that didn’t impede progress of the meeting as participants gathered in the serene atmosphere of the Conference Room.

His Excellency, Charles Agyei-Amoama in his initial remarks thanked the Press for their smart attendance and said Ghana’s 50years of Independence is an historic event in that 50 years in the life of an individual is no mean achievement let alone that of a country. “This is why as a country we have chosen to celebrate this Golden Jubilee throughout the year,” he stated.

He again further mentioned that Ghana was a trail blazer in the African struggle to shed the yoke of colonialism, a pre-condition for political and economic advancement. “Africa’s integration and development efforts which find expression today in the agendas of the African Union, NEPAP and the regional organisation of ECOWAS took tentative steps in Ghana in the 1950’s when the newly independent Ghana tried to actualize and champion the ideals of Pan-Africanism”, he noted.

His Excellency paid special tribute to the first President of Ghana, the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose daughter, Samia Yaba Nkrumah, incidentally was present at the meeting.

The Honorable Stateman, took the Press down the memory lane saying Ghana experienced dark periods of military regimes until the restoration of democratic governance in 1992. “As a country we have faced many challenges ranging from the period of suppression to freedom of speech, association and movement to name a few.

There is now openness in our social discourse than never before and above all we have embraced democracy with the entire tenet under which independence of the judiciary, separation of powers, respect for the rule of law prevails in Ghana,” he added.

Speaking further on the current situation in Ghana, His Excellency told the invited Press Ghana has emerged as a tolerant, peaceful and democratic nation on the African continent with a vibrant civil society. Ghana, he continued, is now enjoying an atmosphere of political and economic transformation such that it has become the yardstick of the continent.

On the economic front he stated the country is vigorously pursuing the aspiration to be a middle-income economy by 2015. He tasked the Press men and women to help convey the new wind of change in Ghana to the rest of the world and also to consolidate Ghana as a true bastion of democracy and a beacon of hope for trade, investment and tourism in Africa.

Highlighting activities of the anniversary in Ghana, he pointed out many of Ghana’s international friends and development partners are expected in the country at various times of the year to take part in the celebration.

Ghana’s Embassies and High Commissions abroad are also geared up to lead celebrations in countries of accreditation and expectations are that these activities will not only unite Ghanaians but also propel them to bring accelerated developments in the country.

His Excellency took questions and suggestions from the media after his address. Activities planned by the Mission in Rome to commemorate the anniversary as revealed by the Ambassador are, among them, a meeting with leaders of the respective Ghanaians Associations in Italy, Gospel night treat, ‘Talk on Ghana @ 50’, a Dinner Dance, Miss Ghana in Italy, all of which will commence from January 27 and end on February 2007. The events would be shuffled between Rome and the city of Vicenza in the north of Italy. Ghana’s two top soccer clubs, Hearts of Oaks and Asante Kotoko are billed to play on the program in Vicenza on March 3, 2007 whilst there would be a National Day of Prayers – a Non-denominational service – in Rome on 4th March 2007. The day, 6th March 2007, on which Ghana’s Independence Day falls have been earmarked for an official reception for the Diplomatic Community in Italy, an event at which the Ambassador will host the special guests at his residence in Rome. Then there will be photo exhibition, a series of lectures, Investment Forum, fashion shows which will show case Ghana’s culture and a launching of fund for educational projects for selected schools in Ghana, all coming off between April and June 2007.

The celebration will end with a Golden Jubilee Ball (Black tie or traditional) and Awards Night. Ghana’s culture would again be portrayed in a traditional drumming and dancing of the people and chiefs in a mock durbar. Also among the package is a quiz program and a Ghanaian Associations’ special day for Independence. These events will take place between July and November 2007.

The series of events is jointly to be hosted by the Embassy in Rome and the Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI) with collaboration from Atlas Group of Companies in Ghana, Ghana Ecclesiastical Union of Rome, UNIDO, Mayor of Rome and the American University of Rome.