Ghanaians in Italy and the Golden Jubilee

In celebrating Ghana’s 50th year of Independence the Ghanaian communities in Italy have really put across their country’s heritage in extraordinary fashion. Not much could be written about them in the past, but that was then, the story is changing, they are now getting some of the headlines about Ghanaians resident abroad and under the Golden Jubilee Anniversary they are displaying Ghana’s rich culture which is a step to boast tourism in Ghana.

The celebrations have been well programmed, of which Italians and other foreign nationals at these events are relishing every bit of it.

Not long after Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, His Excellency Charles Agyei-Amoama, launched the celebration in Rome in January, the Council of Ghanaian Nationals Association in Italy (COGNAI) took over and hosted three splendid events in the cities, Vicenza and Verona – after launching their own part of the celebration at a dinner dance – showing Ghana’s traditional costumes, drumming and dancing. Since then Ghanaian communities in four other cities – Modena, Rome, Reggio Emilia and Parma – have followed suit in similar fashion and other communities have lined up their programs for the anniversary. “There hasn’t been anything as big as this within the foreigners’ communities here in Italy,” were the words of Gianfranco Morselleto, a representative of the City Council in Vicenza, who was out there to witness one of the events.

In all these they have shown their unity as a group of nationals residing in a foreign country. I have always maintained that Ghanaians show more unity and co-operation towards one another as compared to their fellow Africans living abroad.

Some of my African friends, overawed by the unity of Ghanaians here in Italy asks me what is it about the Ghanaian communities that makes them get on so well together, they have been taken in to the good course within their Associations and other tribal groups. My answer has always been that simple, that ‘they have their differences – religion, tribal or political - like elsewhere among other African nationals, but those differences doesn’t count so much when it comes to co-operation or assisting a frustrated compatriot desperate to find a place to put his head, they will do everything to help. Many Ghanaians in Italy have found themselves settled into system here through the help of unknown Ghanaian hosts and today they have brought in their spouse and children.

Italy is an uncomfortable territory, in terms of social assistance and opportunities for foreign nationals, as compared to other developed nations, it’s almost ‘dry’ and under the laws which would help many immigrants in these areas the stakes have been raised so high only Italian nationals with their citizenship status can scale over to get these benefits, advantages and opportunities.

In analysing the Ghana Golden Jubilee here so far it has also provided a platform for excellence and exhibition of talents. I have watched some of the events from city to city and can emphatically say there are Ghanaians in Italy who with the talent they have can sell Ghana’s image wider, boast investment and tourism.

Thanks to the change of atmosphere at the Ghana Embassy in Rome, the new administration seems to be going in rhythm with events within the Ghanaian communities. There have been the Embassy representation at activities organised by the Associations, there is more understanding against the previous tension as a result of the passport fee increment issue, a situation that nearly marred their relationship.

In terms of number of intellectuals, the communities of Ghanaians here have not reached the level of their compatriots in some other developed countries but judging from the level of its’ growing population - among the highest growing African population in Italy - with their children enrolling in good schools and academically showing progress it would not be very long when the lawyers, architects, doctors and chief administrators would start rolling out of the bloc.

I have always admired their seriousness at work – of course you can say that again for most Ghanaians residing abroad – and many Italian employers whose firms or companies Ghanaians work affirm their discipline and approach to work compared to other African nationals.

Opportunities for the foreign national in Italy are almost non-existent, the few that exists, however, Ghanaians are making good use of it with diligence.

It’s getting better with time as they have begun establishing their own businesses, this could only be realised in a dream some few years ago. Aside of that they are working to get Italians establish businesses in Ghana which is now becoming the gateway to West Africa, hopefully Africa in the years to come.

Also on the ground things are changing in other areas, the big Ghanaian musical shows and programmes for Ghanaians abroad are now coming to Italy, promoters have seen the opportunities and are cashing in on the chance.

Ghana needs all of its citizens to put their hands on deck for its development and under Ghana@50, Ghanaian in Italy are grabbing the chance to sell Ghana abroad, for that matter increase investments.