GaDangmes in Italy 'Bubble of Joy' in the open

An event of entertainment at Sassuolo in Modena (north of Italy) expected to revolve around GaDangmes (natives from the Greater Accra) Association in Emilia Romagna Region later took a wider dimension as the local Italians got involved -and they relished every bit of it.

It was the first outdoor event of the Association since its formation in January 2009 and the occasion, to bring together all natives from the Greater Accra Region in Ghana, resident in Emilia Romagna, in the spirit of friendship, share ideas and have fun eventually burst open into the Ghanaian culture which over the past few years in Italy has become an attraction. The local Ghanaian food, music and dance - typical of the GaDangme people - were on show and the Italians who, perhaps, by chance came in braced it with joy. “It’s been a joyful evening,” one of them quipped in the end and another said: “the music attracted our interest and we found ourselves in the thick of things. Great Day,” she added.

For the many GaDangmes who were part of the day’s event it really provided a forum and an atmosphere of friendship getting to know each other well, interact and have fun. “We have been waiting for an opportunity like this togetherness for our people here and seeing some Italians involved is wonderful; it helps with integration into the society. We are hoping it will be a yearly affair, thanks to the GaDangme Association in Emilia Romagna” said one native of GaDangme who has travelled outside the city of Modena to be part of the event. Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Association, Nii Trebi Macbeth, expressed his profound gratitude to Luca Cuoghi from the office of Administration at the City Council of Sassuolo (suburb of Modena) whose office provided the venue for the event with logistical support and the management of ‘Obonu’ FM (a Radio Station in the Greater Accra Region) which gave over 2 hours broadcast of the event (LIVE), enabling the partakers to send greetings and well wishes to their families and friends back home in Ghana.

The Chairman also thanked all the participants for supporting the cause of the Association. “The main aim of the Association, as an NGO, is to help with development projects in the Greater Accra Region. We have not been around for long but the Association has become well known among Ghanaians in the diaspora,” he pointed out. He mentioned among other works by the Association about sending hospital equipment to some local hospitals in Ghana and helping with sanitation in some localities in the city of Accra. “The Association will continue to play its role by identifying areas in the Greater Accra Region that needs help and contribute its part in solving those problems,” The Chairman also called on Chiefs in the Region to do away with personal interests and divisiveness and work for the development of the Region. The Association’s Executive Board, Advisors and Patrons were all introduced to the gathering. The list is made up of: Nii Trebi Macbeth (Chairman), Alfred Adjei - a.k.a Jordan - (Vice Chairman), Christopher Sowah Klu (Secretary). The rest are: Daniel Boye, Juana Mod, Alex Klu Boye, Christian Adjetey(C.A.), Edmund Anang (a.ka. Matata), Seth Ashitey, Clifford Derby, Esther Adjei, Nii Edmund Laryea, John Joe Anum, Reggie Tagoe. Joshua Lamptey, and Solomon Klufio.

After food and drinks it was all dancing and it was here the Italians got involved bracing it to the full distance into the last hour of the night.