The Honourable Samia Yaba Nkrumah, MP, Leader and Chairperson of the Convention People's Party (CPP) will arrive in Rome Monday to launch the Italian language edition of "Africa Must Unite" for which she wrote the Foreword. The book which was written by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1963 remains, to date, the most comprehensive argument for African unity. The Italian President, H.E Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, has written the preface to the new edition.

Ahead of the trip the Italian President commended Hon Nkrumah, saying:

"My Esteemed Parliamentarian, I have been informed of the publication by Editori Uniti of the Italian version of Kwame Nkrumah's work Africa Must Unite. I wish to convey to you my satisfaction for this event that is the result of your personal effort in the diffusion and valorization of your father's book. Africa is a growing continent in spite of its problems and young people and the women are its best resources. It is essential for anybody who wants to be an engaged and attentive interlocutor for Africa, to know the history of Africa and to understand the progress of the continent towards regional integration for which your father was an authoritative and strenuous advocate. The Italian edition of your fathers work will be a useful tool in spreading the knowledge not only for Italian readers, but also for experts of African affairs and for the resident African community in Italy, of one of the most significant moments of African history, of which your father was a most farsighted and active protagonist. I wish to convey to you the expressions of my high consideration and my cordial greetings."

Dignitaries that will be at the launch include former Italian Prime Minister, H.E Romano Prodi, the Deputy Speaker of the Italian Senate Mme. Emma Boninno, members of the Italian Parliament and Senate, the Third National Vice Chairperson of the CPP, Kweku Oteng Anane and members of the Ghanaian community. The welcome address to the launch will be given by the Ghanaian Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Mrs. Evelyn Anita Stokes-Hayford.

"Africa Must Unite", according to Alessio Aringoli, publisher of the Italian language version is "…the ultimate reference point for understanding the necessity and the means for unity to enhance, what Nkrumah called, Africa's socio-economic and cultural emancipation…"

Honourable Samia Nkrumah's second engagement takes her to the city of Milan where she will participate in and address the Bellagio Initiative on creating favourable conditions to enhance the contribution of philanthropy to socio-economic development. According to Hon. Nkrumah, "…Africa has many business people and well meaning individuals who can make important social and economic investments in ways that complement the efforts of government. These members of the community need to be helped by the state through the removal of obstacles that prevent such voluntary investments. It is important that we address such issues in an international context…". The Bellagio Initiative is a series of global consultations to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well being. Honourable Nkrumah's itinerary includes scheduled meetings with members of the Ghanaian community in both Rome and Milan.

SIGNED : IVOR KOBINA GREENSTREET – GENERAL SECRETARY - 0244 384 963 / 0208 080 414