Ghanaians In Parma Hold Youths' Forum

… immoral acts of the youths becoming a worry to parents in Italy

As the population of Ghanaians continues to increase in Italy so it goes problems with its youths in the country. Immoral acts, indiscipline, indecent dressing and lack of respect for parents cropping up among the Ghanaian youths have become an increasing worry to parents.
Report in one city indicates the Ghanaian youths could be seen hanging out at the local train station with Italian friends in baggy-wears, caps twisted on their heads and spotting a James-Bond type of goggles and big necklaces large enough to choke a horse and one dare not raise a finger or question them. One mother told me her son has stopped school and following friends around. It is upon these that the Ghana Nationals Association in the Italian northern city of Parma (a city noted for its famous industries- Milk products company for Parmalat, Barrilla Company for pasta and the world’s famous cheese, parmigiano) took to hold a YOUTHS’ FORUM for Ghanaians in the community.
Speaking prior to the meeting, at Parco d’ Casa in the center of the city, the Association’s President, Adu Sarkodie, allied the fears that most of the Ghanaian youths, born in Italy and those who joined their parents from Ghana, have taken to a life style that needs serious attention. He said if such situations are ignored there would be the danger of very serious consequences in the next few years.
Says the President: “Ironically, there has been an increasing number of Ghanaians and other African churches springing up across the country but that hasn’t had any impact on the life of our youths and the sad part of it is some of these youths are in the churches”.
The city of Parma is populated with over 600 hundred Ghanaians and a good number of them - the youths, parents and guardians participated in the FORUM.
Main speakers at the function were Pastor Roland Aggrey Jnr. from the Assemblies of God Church (African Community in Parma), Rev. George Ennin from the Methodist Church in Mezzani (a province of Parma) and Maria Teresa Guarnieri, counselor on family issues from the Community Office in Parma (Comune).
The event began with gospel music provided by the youths’ group, Verses of Praises, from the Methodist Church of Mezzani, who put up an impressive performance.
Also what added more sparkle to the occasion was the attire of most of the youths and parents who participated clad in Ghana’s traditional ‘kente’ dresses and that gave more color to the already decorated hall with the Ghana National Flag colors.
The theme of the occasion was: THE GHANAIAN YOUTH LIVING IN THE ITALIAN SOCEITY. Pastor Roland Aggrey Jnr. who spoke on the sub-theme; THE GHANAIAN LIVING IN GHANA AND LIVING ABRAOD, said the custom of Ghanaian culture is blended up with her tradition and Christianity and with that in mind a Ghanaian welcomes and hospitalizes a person that comes along his/her way however with much caution. He noted that the adage that says, “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”, signify that the way a person speaks, dresses or conducts at home and public tells of his/her moral standard. “Ghanaians live in close communities”, according to Pastor Aggrey Jnr., “they are inter- related and love extended life style, thus extended family relative or even an elder has every right to discipline or direct his fellow Ghanaian who misbehaves immorally”. This he said allows Ghanaians to preserve the dignity of their culture and tradition wherever they go.
Confronting issues of the Ghanaian Living Abroad with special reference to Italy, he stated that the Ghanaian is faced with pressure and stresses of accommodation and its high rates, strict legal procedures of staying and working permits which in his country is flexible. These difficult conditions forces him to abandon some of his traditional way of close community and extended family lifestyle of living.
Pastor Aggrey Jnr. also observed that Ghanaians abroad have forgotten the GODLY CHARACTER, they were brought up and therefore failed to discipline and teach their children the Godly way of life. He concluded by saying the children have been exposed to illicit way of dressing, immoral acts of pornographic movies on TV and internet and they are now uncontrollable. “Our God-given culture is buried and our self centered life is exposed. May we run back to GOD for SALVATION. Jesus is still waiting if we repent”, he ended his speech.
Rev. George Ennin who spoke on the sub-theme: INTEGRATION OF THE GHANAIAN YOUTH IN THE ITALIAN SOCIETY – WHAT IS OUR EXPECTATION?, pointed out the world today is a global village because of the unpredicted phenomenon of migration due to a number of factors among them economic and social.
He noted that integration involves the coming together of some elements mentioning these as, CULTURE – language, accent, dressing, food, eating habits, music, arts, religion, marriage rites, taboo, dancing and also VALUES – respect for age, child bearing, honesty, attitude to work, chastity, morality, character, gender, fidelity etc.
Rev. Ennin also noted that integration calls for wise choices of tastes, values and life styles in order to remain faithful to one’s cultural identity and cultural roots.
He stated: “A short outline of some few Africans or Ghanaian socio-cultural values will help serve the purpose of reminding or informing our Ghanaian youths in Europe or Italy of our Ghanaian traditional values or roots”. He mentioned among them these values as respect for age, no left hand in greeting, no talk back, acknowledgement of Creator God, dependence on parents and self-acceptance – eg. skin colour.
The Rev. Minister indicated that non-use of the cane as an instrument of child discipline, assertion of youth or adolescent independence at age of 18 with its unbridled moral freedom like the socio-moral liberty for dating (with open fondling) discoteque attendance, smoking which in some cases lead to drug addiction – cocaine, marijuana, heroine, etc – the sex saturated environment promoted by the mass media from TV, magazines, pornographic films and books, the fashion of suggestive dressing are some harmful western values against the African youth.
Unfortunately, he maintained, some parents appear to encourage this wrongful values or lifestyle of their youths consciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectly through factors, like excessive permission or uncontrolled permission for outing, uncontrolled viewing of some TV programmes, inability to control or help children in the choice or selection of friends, inability to reprimand children, divided positions between parents over correction or discipline of children.
Rev. Ennin however is of the view there are some western values worthy of learning by the African or Ghanaian youth, this he said includes, industry or hard work (attitude to work), honesty or frankness, punctuality or time consciousness (respect for time), sense of fruitful or committed partnership with family or parents and physical discipline giving examples as body exercise, walking, siesta and rest.
Maria Teresa Guarnieri, accompanied by two other personnel from her office, on her turn admitted the culture of the western world has affected their children. “We have realized the way we train our children have not helped them to be respectful”, she told the participants.
She is also of the view separation of couples affect their children. “I would be happier if our children and parents are present at this FORUM to listen to what’s taking place”, said Guarnieri.
The community counselor on family affairs also told the gathering the community office cannot substitute the child but rather help the parents to train him or her and she enjoined the parents to put up their very best in bringing up their children.
She finally re-echoed her point: “I am happy about this meeting. I’ve seen that you people are concerned about something and the community appreciates that. Make it possible so we can have contacts and interactions with you. We also appeal to you to assist us to have contacts with other immigrants’ Associations.”
The leader of the Youth Branch of the Association, Kwabena Agyei, gave a short address saying he grew up partly in Ghana before his parents brought him to Italy.
“I saw some difference in the lives of Italian families and urge you to observe those characters that are good and bad. I learnt the good and those that are bad I stayed away from them” he said.
Agyei also advised the youths to comport themselves well in the society and asked for such FORUMS to be organized from time to time.
Participants were given the chance to make some contributions and ask questions.