Ghana Association in Piacenza-Italy, inaugurated

History was made within the Ghanaian community in Piacenza, Italy, with its Association being inaugurated. It’s the first time after several attempts that the Ghanaian community in the city has seen such occasion and to grace the event Ghana’s new Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, was present.

The travel weary Ambassador has covered over 3,000 kilometers by road within eight weekends taking keen interest in activities involving Ghanaian communities in Italy and interacting with them across the country. In his one weekend trip mapped out, he travelled from Rome to Reggio Emilia, in the north, to meet the Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI), hours later he was opening a Youth Day Fiesta of Ghanaians in the same city, he didn’t stay for long to witness the end of the function and was whisked away to another function being hosted by the Ghanaian community on the same day in Brescia, 100kilometers away. The following day he was on a flight to Turkey to present his credentials also as Ghana Ambassador to the country.

His trip to Piacenza - the Italian city 40 kilometers from Milan - well noted for its agricultural products and tomato factories was well planned by his hosts, the Ghana Nationals Association in Piacenza and its Province. Italian police and security officers dutifully escorted him wherever he went in the city, even when having dinner with his hosts late in the night.

His first port of call was the office of the city Mayor then a meeting with the Chief Police of the city, Commander Questure, and then to the office of the Government representative (Prefettura) in the city where he had interactions with the Head, Dr. Alberto Ardia, before being hosted for lunch.

The main function where he inaugurated the Ghana Association was attended by a considerable number of Ghanaians. VIPs present from the City Council (Comune) included Paolo Dossi and Stephano Fontini. Also present was Francesco Municci, Consular of the Republic of San Marino -a small State off the province of Milan - a close associate of the city Mayor. He was with the Ambassador throughout his visit.

In his inaugural address, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama remarked that from his little interactions with the Executives Board he is convinced the Piacenza Association would stand tall amongst the various Ghanaian Associations holding all things constant. To achieve that height, he observed, there must be some cardinal principles for each and every members of the Association particularly the Executives.

He stated that for an Association to grow and stand the test of time there are three key things to bear in mind - sacrifice, determination and commitment. “These qualities if allowed to be embedded in the Executives and membership, no problem would be insurmountable,” His Excellency pointed out. He added problems may come up but the collective efforts of the Association to resolve it on timely basis would differentiate it from all other Associations. The Head of the Ghana Mission in Rome further told his hosts and all present Ghana has emerged as a tolerant, peaceful and democratic nation on the African continent with a vibrant civil society. “Currently,” he says, “our nation is enjoying an atmosphere of political and economic transformation such that we have become the yardstick for the continent. It’s my hope that through this Association you can demonstrate the true picture that Ghana has painted on the world stage to our host here and other nationals and above all assist the Mission to continue to consolidate and establish Ghana as a true bastion of democracy and beacon of hope for trade and investment on the continent.”

The Executive Board of the Association consist of Idiris Farah - President, Rexford Mensah – Secretary, Johnson Nyarko – Treasurer, Thomas Antwi as Organiser, Dora Antwi – P.R.O and Charles Yaw Owusu as Patron.

In an impressive speech delivered by the President of the Association, Idiris Farah, he said he is extremely happy the formation and inauguration of the Association has come to fruition after several failed attempts over the years. He mentioned that with the population of Ghanaians in Italy increasing each year it has become necessary for the formation of such Associations to keep abreast with happenings back home. Idiris Farah is also of the view the formation of Ghanaian Associations will provide a Forum for Ghana and Italy to exchange cultural and traditional activities. The astute President whose speech was punctuated with applause urged his compatriots to desist from drug related cases which is denting the image of immigrants living abroad. He called on his fellow countrymen living abroad to put their knowledge and experience at the disposal of fellow citizens who have just come in. “We want to make it a norm any Ghanaian who makes this Association the first place of contact will get all the necessary assistance required”.

The Association President further said the Association has been formed among other things to serve as a platform for the Ghanaian community in the city to assess developments back home and decide on how best they can contribute towards improving living conditions.

“There is no place like home and no matter how higher standards of living here, we will always go back home. Friends and relations back home will expect us to contribute in no small way to the developments of our communities. Posterity will not forgive us if we neglect our communities back in Ghana,” he added. Idiris Farah, who delivered his speech with the Ghana flag hoisted on his side, finally reiterated his earlier point urging his compatriots to desist from practices that will bring their names and the name of Ghana into disrepute. “Let’s not forget that the only labor that brings dignity is honest labor. Let’s also not forget that not all that’s desirable is lawful,” he maintained.

After other brief counselling and appreciation of the Ghanaian community efforts in the city by personnel of the City Council the Ambassador took questions from the participants.

His Excellency who was accompanied by Aikins Abrokwa, Head of Chancellery of the Mission in Rome, was later after the function taken to visit the Museum of Piazza Farnese which houses some of the early 19th century stagecoachs of different designs and uses before the invention of automobiles. It was like seeing in reality those carriages drawn by horses in the early movies. The well-kept museum was an embodiment of history and culture of the people in those days.

Some of the carriage exhibits used over 100 years ago have been so well kept with their original leader seats you may think they rolled out of the production line some few months ago. The Ambassador took some time to pose with his hosts as they walk round the exhibits with the assistance of the museum guide, he was later again hosted in a dinner at a quite location outside the city centre.

It was obvious he enjoyed his visit and the security officers made sure he is safe till he left the city the following day.