An outpouring of love, songs, traditional dancing with plenty to eat and drink characterized a 60 years birthday party of Stephen Mensah Akuffo, a Ghanaian resident in Sassuolo, Modena -Italy. I have not seen many people, within the Ghanaian community in Italy, turn out for a birthday bash like what happened in this commemoration. When I asked if all the people present will have food to eat and drink I was assured there would be no problem and even that, left overs. That was exactly what happened. You need not read much into the lines at the event to notice the man - who hails from La, a suburb of Accra, and known among his compatriots as ?Mr Mensah? -commands a great deal of respect and love from the community he lives and even beyond as people travelled from very long disances to come and celebrate with him. Dressing code was a Ghanaian wear and most of the participants stucked to that. There were various designs and cuts of the Ghanaian women and men wear ? ?kaba?, the well embroided traditional kente cloth, the big ?out of the world? women?s headgears, lace dresses, jewelries, and the men blazed it with neatly cut batiks, smocks and the usual cloths rolled over their bodies in the Ghanaian style. It was awesome! Frankly speaking, it gave an added beauty and a big image of the Ghanaian culture in an already decorated hall with Ghana colors ? red, yellow and green. There were few Italians who came with their friends but most of them around at a nearby spot couldn?t resist and joined in. Who wouldn?t? The highly flavoured and sumptuous Ghanaian and Italian dishes laid on a long table could self-invite any hovering visitor. Rev. Thoma Acheampong, a Catholic Father, got things underway with prayers. Then a small group of young Ghanaian girls gave a good treat of a traditional ?adowa? dance and they received a standing ovation. Also in attendance were Ghanaian groups and Associations who presented gifts , among them Peace & Unity, Saint Theresa?s and Christian Mothers Association from Reggio Emilia, a city close to Modena. Ghana?s highlife music, initialy starting out with the old tunes, gave the ?senior? Ghanaians among the participants the chance to remember the years back. The floor was packed around the celebrant with his beautiful wife, Irene Adjei and daughter Silvia Mensah as they danced to various tunes in the company of friends and well-wishers. ?Mr Mensah? later in an interview gave a brief account of his life thanking God for reaching 60 years. He said he worked in Ghana with the Black Star Line Shipping Company before arriving in Italy in 1982 where he stayed in Palermo, Sicily, for 6 years and then moved to the city of Modena. ?Life needs patience,? he says. ?If you are finding things difficult and become impatient you cannot find a solution. God talks to people as He carries his work on an individual and we have to be patient and listen,? he advised. When I asked him what he makes about all the celebrations because of him and the great turn out, he replied:?It?s the work of God. In my life I don?t shun people but give respect to everyone who comes my way irrespective of color, race or age. People invite me to their functions and I do not only go there but contribute my quota in ways you can think of so they are showing their appreciation and returning that love to me. I had the same treat at my wedding in Modena,? he added. The Chairman of the occasion, Ampofo Ntim, who travelled from down south in Palermo, Sicily, also in a separate remark admitted the celebration marking the birthday of his compatriot is unique. ?I cannot remember attending an occasion of this kind with all these fun and show of love,? he said. A member of the Planning Committee of the event, Obeng Boateng, who lives in Modena, also passing his comments said in 27 years living in Italy he has not seen anything similar of its kind. ?Mr. Mensah helps people to solve problems and that attracts people to him?. In his final words the celebrant expressed his sincere thanks to all who attended and helped him celebrate the joyous ocassion.