Ghana@50 in Italy

... Vicenza goes gay again with pageantry
When it comes to anniversaries and ceremonies Ghanaians know how to celebrate. In commemoration of Ghana’s 50 years of Independence in the Italian city of Vicenza they took it to greater heights with a display in traditional drumming, dancing, chiefs and costumes of their country.

It’s the fourth major event between the Ghanaian communities in Italy marking the anniversary celebrations under the auspices of the Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI) expected to portray Ghana’s image and heritage abroad and it lived up to its billing. The over 1,000 Ghanaians and Italians that spilled out into the main cauldron of the ‘Centro Sport Palladio’ Complex in the city had an eye full witnessing one of the most extravagant display of Ghana’s rich culture.

Special invited guest, Gianfranco Morselleto - representative of the City Council in Vicenza and who also stood in for the Mayor of the city– admitted he’s never seen a thing like that among the immigrants’ communities in Italy. The array of colors, the display of the numerous shapes and sizes of the Ghana flag, the singing of national patriotic songs, selling, buying of souvenirs for the occasion, the traditional Ghanaian costume of ‘kente’ cloths, the smiles on their faces, the friendship and interactions they shared was enough to paint a true picture of the Ghanaian.

In this event, speeches and formalities were brief to pave enough time for the pageantry and making his remarks, Gianfranco Morselleto on behalf of the City Mayor and the City Council extended sincere greetings and good wishes to the Ghanaian communities in Italy. He said: “Independence for all people around the world is an enjoyable occasion which needs to be celebrated. I believe the healthy relation between Italy and Ghana will continue to flourish for the mutual benefit of both countries”. The special guest was later presented with a Ghanaian sculpture in memory of the occasion.

Ghana Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, who has been involved in most of these Ghanaian activities, was expected to be present but his busy engagements on these Independence events kept him out this time. The Embassy was however represented by the First Secretary of the Consular Section, Sherry-Lord Quarshie, who in a smart Ghanaian wear inspected a mock cadet mounted by a small group of young Ghanaians. It was a moving scene and everything was carried out in a copy of security personals parade as they marched briskly before the enthusiastic audience comfortably seated in the spacious Sports Complex.

Also present were Presidents and Executive Committee members of various Ghanaian Associations in the regions, Pastors and church leaders representing Ghanaian Churches in the north of Italy.

Earlier in the day saw a football gala tournament comprising teams selected from the Ghanaian communities in various cities and it was interesting to see a team from Napoli which travelled a distance of over 800 kilometers to take part in the competition.

The evening program began first with the singing of the Ghana National Anthem led by 8-year-old Erica Edusei. Her fantastic voice earned her a large applause from the audience then all of Ghana’s 10 regions were represented by youths in their teens who were dressed in traditional wears. Each gave some briefs about what the region is made of – the tribe, language, crops or minerals and some of its history.

And with history, Agyekum Boateng, -‘Ghana’s history tank’- took the audience through the records. The mobile facts and figures of Ghana history walked them deep down through the memory lane dating as far back as 1492 when Ghanaians migrated from Egypt through Timbuktu to present day Ghana. They sat stunned intermittently clapping as he gave the names and dates of every Governor who set foot on Ghanaian soil, castles and traditional rulers long before independence. I’m told he studied history at school and on account of his in-depth knowledge of Ghana’s history he might have passed his mentors by now in facts and figures, he could be a source of information for Ghanaian youths anxious to know about their heritage.

Under a fashion show which demonstrated Ghana’s costumes, Ethile France, Angela Mensah, Lawrencia Osekere and Dorothy Ampong, all teenagers, came out with different designs and cuts of the Ghanaian ‘batik’ and ‘kente’. These youths behaved like professionals on the catwalk and not only the colorful designs of their dresses but their strides attracted a standing ovation.

By the time the mock durbar of the chiefs and people slowly walked in with their regalia and all the trappings of a colorful durbar demonstrating the ‘adowa’ and ‘kete’ traditional dances of Ghana the atmosphere has been raised to its maximum with joy and singing. This was the climax of the occasion and some of the audience who have been having itching feet all along, knowing perfectly they can perform these traditional dances joined in. Great moment of pure splendor of the Ghanaian culture and it was as if a whole clan a Ghanaian kingdom have been carried into the arena. The Chiefs, Queen mothers, linguists - Nana Kofi Adomako (Arziagno -a province of Vicenza), Nana Antobre (Krontihene), Kojo Edusei (Gyasihene), Nana Ekuatima (Queenmother), Nana Ofori Agyei (Ankwabiahene), Nana Kojo Sarpong (Nkwasuohene), Nana Ewurama Atta (Queenmother), Lydia Edubaa (Udine Krontihemaa), Nana Yaw Konadu Yiadom Gyata (Mbratiehene), Nana Gyamfi (Enkosuohene), Nana Okatakyei and Akwesi Poku (Okyeame)- all took their strides infront of the excited packed house.

It’s fascinating how the Golden Jubilee of Ghana’s Independence has caught up among Ghanaians abroad, here in Italy it has taken an added dimension and they are relishing every bit of it.