Ghanaians in Italy to hold Seminar at Como

A seminar to address global crisis with respect to Ghanaians in Italy will take place in the Italian city Como on June 27.

Organised by the Council of Ghana Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI), the meeting will focus on problems caused by global economic and financial crises on the Italian economy and its consequences reversed on the Ghanaian migrant in Italy.

The General Secretary of (COGNAI), Gilbert Abasimi, who issued a statement on the meeting said many migrants, including Ghanaians, in Italy are facing the temporal suspension of 3 - 6 months on their jobs situation whilst others have lost theirs and are under Government unemployment benefits. “The unemployment benefit lasts between 8 months to 3 years depending on a number of factors and the debate, analysis and synthesis at the meeting will touch on the national Government provision to face the situation both at microeconomic levels as well as the social welfare sector,” he mentioned.

All 21 recognised Ghanaians Associations in Italy under COGNAI are expected to be present at this second major seminar of the year which will also observe some Regional dispositions projects and programs related to the crises. The General Secretary indicated discussions will include some provisions taken at the City Council level in which some have decided to offer a sum of money in exchange for voluntary repatriation. “In the course of debates, programs related to development projects in some African countries, including Ghana, submitted by the International Organisation for Migration (I.O.M), Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) and Council for Refugees in Italy (C.I.R) will be discussed,” he stated.

Apart from representatives of I.O.M-MIDA and C.I.R, who will take their seat at the Conference, Italy’s Local Authorities such as the City Council and the Trade Unions will be present whilst the Ghana Embassy will also be represented.

The President of Ghanaians Association in Como, Hazel Ephrim, speaking about the event said Ghanaians in the community are extremely excited a seminar for Ghanaians in Italy is for the first time is being hosted in the city and that preparations have been made to receive all participants. “We have received tremendous assistance from our compatriots in the surrounding cities of Varese, Lecco, Monza and Bergamo and I expect the seminar to achieve a lot for Ghanaians in Italy,” she added.