The last time I was in the Italian northern city of Vicenza, a little over a month ago, it was for the launching of activities to mark Ghana @ 50 in a 500-seater restaurant. This time it’s in a 90-bedroom hotel and it’s the R-E-A-L THING …. TALENT SHOW!!

The city of Vicenza, noted for its leather factories, buzzles and with an estimated number of 5,000 Ghanaians it couldn’t have been better. Ghanaian youths resident in Italy, mainly from the north of the country, thronged the auditorium of Alpha Hotel in the western part of the city to exhibit their talents in various disciplines. The event kicked off activities marking Ghana’s 50 years of Independence in Italy organised by the Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI).

Not a very large auditorium compared to the size of the hotel but the talents of these youths on the night compensated for the difference.

The Ghanaian flag, British flag and Italian flag were pasted in the background. Whatever the reason for this combination I don’t know and I didn’t ask but you can guess.

After the initial formalities of prayers and remarks by President of COGNAI, Omari Somuah, activities of the event – quiz, singing, solo performance, dancing, poems and the rest – got underway.

Nana Antobre Kobbinah, the Ghanaian chief representing his compatriots in Arzignano, a province of Vicenza, gave the occasion a cultural touch. Clad in a traditional Ghanaian cloth with enough gold all over his body, he urged the youths to be serious with their studies and that God should be paramount in all their undertakings. He said if the youths are interested in learning Ghana’s traditional drumming, dancing and culture all the necessary instruments are available for them.

Ghana’s new sensational artiste in Italy, Obuo Sika (not a competitor) first lifted the excitement of the parked auditorium to an appreciable height performing with one of his solo albums. Then it was time for the best brain - quiz - as contestants from Vicenza, Verona, Pordenone and other parts of Italy lined up on stage.

Questions came from Geography, History (primarily on Ghana), Civics, Science and Mathematics. Competitors had the option to choose which type of subject they want. Beginning with 13 contestants the number went down to 9 and then 6 into the final round.

Agyeman Sarpong of Vicenza came up top, Paa Kwesi Inkumsah (Vicenza) second, Patricia Koranteng (Vicenza) and Davis Opoku Amanfu (Pordenone) shared the third spot. Certificates were presented to each competitor and in addition winners of the first three positions were honored with trophies.

Bertha Fosuah and Theophilus Ampah then appeared on stage with a gospel song entitled, ‘Music Fade’, then Angela Abasimi came with a copy of Celine Dion’s, ‘My Heart Will Go On’.

‘Shocker Girls’ as their name goes, came on in a group dancing performance. Each contestant or group was given five minutes to exhibit what they have in store and each time a group appears on stage the momentum of the night increases. Judges awarded points in the areas of appearance, introduction, stage flexibility/ sensibility and then performance.

There was clear evidence the contestants have practiced and gone over their lines several times for a length of time. Nadia Khartey (from Verona) exhilarated the audience with a piece of poetry, ‘One Nation, One People, One Destiny’, and it was just the right tonic needed for such an occasion.

Another mouth-watering performance by the duo of Angel Abena Dwamena and Abigail Nsiah from Verona did the right thing with a song from the album of K. K Fosu. The audience stood up and gave their cheers.

Philomon and Philomina, brother and sister, brought back God into the equation again with another gospel song entitled: ‘Lift every voice and sing’. They were wonderful.

But if there was any performer who tore the audience into shreds it was Wilfred Simmons a.k.a ‘Fiifi’, from Vicenza. A dancing-machine who knows what to do with his two legs when music is on stage. He was like an erudite Professor taking his students through lessons. He moved and flexed his limbs in such brisk fashion you may be tempted to believe he’s got elastic bones in his body. He received a standing ovation.

At the end of the night all competitors were presented with certificates, they actually deserve it. Special guests were Miss Ghana in Italy 2006, Nari Achaempomaa Banieh and runner-up Abigail Asiedu. MCs Atto Van Cliff and Agogo guided the night well.

Again Ghanaians have shown what they can do in a foreign land, serious with work and when it comes to entertainment too they are there.

The next stage in the series of activities to celebrate Ghana’s Golden Jubilee is fixed for February 10, a day that voices would sing to glorify God. ‘Gospel Night’ is the headline for the night. It’s expected that talents like Rita Baidoo, Florence Eshun, Emelia Okrah and Mary Osei would make an appearance and what a night it will be to remember.