New Ambassador To Italy Meets COGNAI

Ghanaians in Italy have been told to come along with possible solutions to their problems than relying on the Embassy alone to solve it for them.

Ghana’s new Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, said this when he met representatives of the various Ghanaian Associations under the name, Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI), at the Trade Union office (CGIL) in the city of Reggio Emilia.

The meeting arranged by COGNAI to officially welcome the new Head of the Embassy and for him to familiarise with the Council members was on a more cordial note against the backdrop of the impasse between the Embassy in Rome and COGNAI over increment on Ghana passport fees in the past.

Members of the Council, which has increased to 20 Associations, individually introduced themselves to the new Ambassador before beginning of hostilities. The Ambassador in turn gave a re-run of his background, education, previous employments to his position as Ambassador. He called on Ghanaians in Italy to sell their country in the area of tourism to Italians and those abroad. Ghana is a friendly destination, he says, and the communities should find out potentials in their districts and promote it. “Rely on the positive side of Ghana and don’t openly speak of the negatives,” he added.

Aware of the difficulties in the organisation of Associations, His Excellency, told his hosts he served the Ghanaian community in Canada for more than 20years as President and urged his country men to forge ahead despite the difficulties. “I’m looking forward to working with all Ghanaians in Italy, you must not rely on government every time but make efforts to change your country,” he stated.

On the passport related issues the Ambassador told the Council members the €200 being demanded by the Ghana government for renewal is not too much considering that the renewed passport is valid for 10years which works out to €20 a year. He asked Ghanaians in Italy not to grumble over the increase but consider it as another way of contributing to the development of their country.

His Excellency, Agyei-Amoama, indicated he is considering plans to have passport application and its related issues processed through the posting system and applicants to pay the required fee through the bank so Ghanaians would not have to travel long distances to the Embassy in Rome. To a question on how Ghanaians in Italy could obtain information and contribute to the development of their country in the area of tourism, the new Ambassador, who took office in October this year, replied that it won’t be long when the Rome Embassy would have a website and all information on the Mission could be reached.

Speaking on the 1,000 visas being offered by the Italian government each year for Ghanaians to come and work in Italy, Honorable Charles Agyei-Amoama explained it’s an attempt to stop illegal immigration but modalities of the deal is still being worked out by the two governments.

The new Ambassador is also Ghana’s Ambassador to Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and Turkey. It’s estimated 23,000 Ghanaians are now legally resident in Italy according to official statistics carried out in June this year. The President of COGNAI, Omari Somuah, thanked the Ambassador for responding to meet them and pointed out they are looking forward to having a cordial relation with the Ghana Mission in Rome and work together for the mutual benefit of their country.

The President called on all Pastors of the Ghanaian churches in Italy to get involved in the affairs of the Association within their community.