Ghana@50 in Parma, Italy

…outstanding display of Ghanaian culture
Ghana’s name was carried aloft under its cuisine, music, costume, traditional drumming and dancing as the Ghanaian community in Parma, Italy, celebrated their country’s 50th of Independence.

Participants at the spacious Campo Palestra in Mezzani, a province of the city, witnessed an event, comparatively, the most glamorous and biggest in Italy since the Ghana@50 anniversary ‘fever’ caught up Ghanaians here and to add to the already packed day of events of entertainments, Ghana’s crowd-pulling musical artiste, Ofori Amponsah together with Kofi Nti, Maa Afi (the gospel music queen) and famous comedian Bob Okala performed in an extravagant night concert.

The program organised under the auspices of the Ghana Nationals Association in Parma brought in Ghanaians from eight other cities in the north of Italy, the largest guest-participants of over 50 came from Vicenza who brought in their own version of chiefs and queenmothers, Omanhene in Vicenza (Chief in Vicenza) - Nana Kofi Adomako [Opatako A-Gye A Ko – Abowo Bo], Obaahene in Vicenza (Queenmother in Vicenza)-Akua Tima-Agyeku, Obaapanyin – Ewura Amma-Atta, Gyaasehene (Gyase chief) - Kojo Adusei, Akwamuhene (Akwamu chief) - Tardie Boateng, Sanaahene - Barima Osei, Krontihene - Antobra Yaw Cobbinah and Mmabaawahemaa -Abenaa Foriwaa Amanfo. The chief and queenmother from the city, Reggio Emelia, were also present to grace the occasion.

Ghanaian cuisines featured in the morning show of the program (Ghanaian Food Fair), among them were ‘waakye’(boiled rice/beans with pepper), ‘kekle’(fried unripe plantain chips), red red (fried ripe plantain and beans stew), ‘kelewele’ (fried ripe plantain spiced with pepper, ginger and salt), jollof rice and kenkey & fish with pepper. Many Italians and other nationals who were for the first time tasting the Ghanaian dish tucked into the ‘kelewele’ to such an extent the woman at the serving counter told me her source run out. Fontana, an Italian, married to a Ghanaian woman said he is already conversant with the Ghanaian dish and very happy to participate in the event. Various Ghanaian crops unfamiliar on Italian soil were demonstrated among them were garden eggs, okro, type of red pepper commonly grown in Ghana and ingredients for preparing Ghanaian soups like groundnut and palm-nut soup as aids demonstrated preparation stages.

The Ghanaian costume - ‘kaba’, kente, batik wears, batakari (smock) also got a wide exposure whilst participants also saw the cocoa pod - the source of chocolate and other cocoa beverages. Special souvenirs - mugs with the Ghana@50 logo, flags, scarfs, badges - were also sold.

Certainly, this was a celebration with a difference and the local TV Station in Parma (TV Parma) run highlights of the program on its station for several hours. According to the Ghana Association President in Parma, Adu Sarkodie, the objective was to use Ghana@50 to show the country’s image to Italians and other nationals and they achieved that.

Special guest of honor was the Minister for Consular Affairs at the Ghana Embassy- Hon. Bartels-Kodwo - whose traditional wear in a long Ghanaian attire was not out of place for the occasion, majority of the participants were dressed in Ghanaian costumes. In his key note address, the Minister extended warm greetings and felicitations from the Ghana Ambassador to Italy -H.E. Charles Agyei-Amoama - and the entire members of staff of the Mission. He said since Ghana attained Independence on 6th March 1957, the country has witnessed many positive developments even though there have been some difficult periods. “The good news is that unlike many other countries, Ghana has successfully pulled through those difficult times as one people, one nation with a common destiny,” he pointed out. Hon. Bartels-Kodwo urged all Ghanaians in Italy to continue to conduct their affairs in a manner that would contribute to the strengthening of good relation between Ghana and Italy.

Earlier, the President of the Ghanaians Association in Parma, Adu Sarkodie, in his welcoming address asked participants to stand and observe a minute silence for all Ghanaians who died in the course of Ghana’s fight for Independence. “Ghana has attained great achievements within 50 years” he said, “among them are the raising of great and prominent personalities with respect and integrity within and abroad” Adu Sarkodie paid special tribute to the BIG SIX for Ghana’s Independence and former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

Among the traditional dances featured during a durbar of chiefs and people were ‘kete’, ‘adowa’ and ‘agbaja’. These were the highlights of the occasion and the excitement caught on to an extent the audience kept cheering the performers.

Under a Fashion Show showing Ghana’s costume, 12 contestants brought before the audience different designs and cuts of the Ghanaian fabric- Ghana@50 cloths, batik and ‘kente’.

The man with the 500-year old history of Ghana at the back of his mind, Agyenim Boateng, stunned the audience with his in-depth knowledge on Ghana history. He rolled their minds backwards to such a period they got lost as he poured out intrinsic facts and figures on Ghana’s history without any reference.

Ofori Amponsah together with Kofi Nti, MaaAfia and Bob Okala took over the mantle in a night of music and comedy entertainment. He is certainly an icon, they mobbed him and he provided them what they were looking for - love songs. Ghana@50 has been celebrated again in Italy in brilliant fashion. Ghana’s name came on top and it will remain so for a long time for the right reasons – splendid display of their culture.