Tough Times In Italy

Ghanaians traveling to Europe especially Italy in search for ‘comfortable living’ continue to face dire difficulties.

Investigations by The Graphic in certain parts of Italy have revealed intense agony and hardship these people go through during their journeys, arrival and post arriving lives.

Several weeks and in some cases months are spent in very dangerous milieu from Ghana to Italy which is the tip of connection to the rest of Europe by land or sea.

Alex Gyima who claimed to have come from Esikuma in the central region described the intense nightmare he had gone through for the past seven weeks. He had just arrived at Palermo in Italy by sea after two month voyage through Saharan countries to Tunisia and found his way to Naples in south of Italy.

Alex who looked severely insipid said he had only insufficient countable meals during the over sixty day ‘exploration’. The gari and some water I had on me had to be thrown away soon after we had left the boarders of Ghana because I realised they could not be part of me’ he noted.

He said apart from the weight there was the need also to be very swift and any luggage on him prevented his easy and fast movement as in some cases they have to make the journey on foot.

‘We had to leave three of us one of them a woman of about 30 years old who we only called Maggie, honestly I cannot tell what their situations are now because there were nobody and nothing at the place we left them because they could not continue with us’. Alex said so close to tears.

One other Ghanaian with Alex who pleaded to be anonymous but only said he was 33 years and was a trained teacher in the Brong Ahafo region said he had not taken water until they got to a town near Tunis where a lady offered some few cups of water which was shared between them.

Most of these ‘explorers’ arriving at the shores of Italy find their way to Naples where they would be ‘secure’ by way of activities for immigration officials. Naples appears to be a ‘no-go area’ for the almost all security personnel. This is because the ancient city is notoriously known for criminal activities like drugs among others. Prostitutions is also said to be a ‘flourishing business.’

The Naples environment is such that the immigration officials and even some security personnel were not safe operating in the area. This speculation was vividly buttressed with the blatant flouting of traffic and other laws in the city. It was very common to see motor bike riders – young and old – riding without helmets - something which can never be found in any western country. Many cars in the metropolis are dented in one way or the other primarily due to lawless driving

The economy of Naples and its closest surrounding area is based largely in tourism, commerce, industry and agriculture and the illegal immigrants find some jobs in these sector. At the Ingresso Almare beach at Casserta two Ghanaians were spotted selling synthetic footballs to the holiday makers. As at 3.00pm, one of them had only managed to sell three out of the 18 balls brought. A situation he described as pathetic.

On the bus in the city, a group of about 15 Ghanaians and other nationals joined the bus at a stop. It was observed that some of the passengers got off immediately apparently due to the severe bad odor on them.

Kofi asamoah who said he was from Kwabeng in the Eastern region confidentially noted that they had got out to find jobs to do. He said some of them were lucky to find horse teeth brushing. According to him they clean the teeth of horses the whole day for between 20 and 25 euros. Others work on tomato plantations for four euros per hour while.

‘The situation is very unbearable and I cannot also return home (Ghana) even though I wish to’. Mr. Asamoah, 45, said I have a wife and two children in Ghana and I have not been able to send a cedi to them since I arrived here some four years ago.’ He lamented.

He said even though some of them live in tens in rooms it at times become extremely difficult to pay rent and other bills.

Nevertheless majority of Ghanaians live very decent lives and work in reputable organisations and institutions. There are some who have been employed my international financial, religious and voluntary oraganisation. Some have their own business.

Mr. Charles Obeng Antwi a mechanic who works with a car manufacturing company cautioned the aspiring travelers to the Europe to do that with valid legal documents and also be sure to secure a job before embarking on such a voyage. He said he has been approached by some Ghanaians who find themselves with such difficult situations and assisted them ‘but that in some cases put my budget out of place’ he added.