From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
The Italian community in Ghana has expressed its profound gratitude to the Ghana government for creating the enabling environment that has sustained the cordial relationship between Ghana and Italy.
They have, therefore, pledged to continue supporting the socio-economic development initiatives by government to accelerate the pace of development in Ghana
Recalling the long and fruitful relationship between Ghana and Italy since 1957 during a cocktail party organised in Kumasi to celebrate the Italian Republic Day, the Vice Consular of Italy for the Western Region and the Northern Sector, Mr Stefano Ramella Pezza, noted “ our country’s relations under the patronage of the present Government led by His Excellency, John Evans Atta Mills ,is bringing very good results in various activities, and is also growing from strength to strength”.
The Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Akyempemhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku, and the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah joined the Italian community and a cross- section of Ghanaians to celebrate the Republic Day of Italy which fell on Friday, June 4, 2010.
Mr Ramella Pezza said the Italian Consulate in Kumasi and its environs was not only committed to honouring its responsibilities to assist both the Italian and Ghanaian communities in diverse ways, but also committed to support and develop the initiatives of Ghana to enable the country realise her vision of attaining accelerated development.
This, he said, would go a long way to improve the standard of living among Ghanaians.
He explained that it was in response to such objectives that the “ Italian Embassy made the first ever Italian film Festival in Ashanti, showing ten Italian films.
Last year at the end of June, an Ambulance was also flown by the Italian Air Force to Kumasi Airport. This was a gift from the Boccelli Foundation and the Italian Air Force to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital”.
He said in July last year, the Consulate of Kumasi also assisted His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to pay an official visit to Rome for a week, and assured that such cherished relationships would be sustained for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
In her remarks, the Charge’ D’ Affair of the Italian Embassy, Ms Silvana Inches, also affirmed the commitment of Italy to support the partnership between Ghana and Italy.
This, she said, would sustain the friendship being enjoyed at the political level to pave way for investment opportunities for the private sector to facilitate growth.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, who represented the government, commended the Italian community in Ghana for their hard work .
He said their resolve to live by the tenets of the laws in Ghana has made it possible for many of them to stay in the country for many years, turning them into second generation of Ghanaian citizens.
He assured that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment to enable them enjoy their stay in the country.
This, he said, would encourage them to initiate projects that would be mutually beneficial .
For his part, the Akyempemhene , Oheneba Adusei Poku, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, commended the Italian community for establishing landmarks, especially in the construction industry.
He mentioned the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, as well as the SOS village at Asokore Mampong constructed by Consar as palpable landmarks cherished by the present generation and said such landmarks speak volumes of the legacy and quality of work done by the construction firm in particular and Italians in general.
No comments:
Post a Comment