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Africans in Italy Brong Ahafo Citizens Union in Italy inaugurated
Brong Ahafo Citizens Union in Italy inaugurated
Friday, 30 July 2010 17:37 | 
Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II encourages Ghanaians to save for the future
Brong Ahafo Citizens Union (BACU) in Emilia Romagna Region was recently inaugurated at a colourful ceremony in Modena. This is an Association of natives of Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana.
It was an extraordinary show proudly displaying the best of Ghanaian cultures: exotic costumes, traditional drumming and dances, to a packed audience of Italians and Ghanaians.
I have witnessed such events by Ghanaians in Italy but I’ve never seen four traditional chiefs, all invited from Ghana, for a single event such as this one. The special invited guests were led by Oseadeèyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV (Paramount Chief of Techiman Traditional Area). The others were: Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II (Hansua and Banmuhene of Techiman), Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II (Adontenhene of Techiman) and Nana Obiri Yeboah Kokroko (Bamire and Tumtuhene of Techiman).
The four were joined by Nana Frimpong Ababio (Nseniahene of Dormaa Ahenkro Traditional Area) who resides in Germany. There were other Chiefs and Queenmothers, among them, Nana Kumi Ababio II and his Queenmother - Nana Akua Boateng, Nana Ekuatima and Obaahimaa Adubaah - all residing in Italy.
Also present was Mr. Charles Baah, Minister and Head of Consular Section at the Ghana Embassy in Rome, who represented the Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy – Her Excellency Mrs. Evelyn Anita Stokes-Hayford.
Oseadeéyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV praised the Brong Ahafo Citizens Union in Emilia Romagna for the extraordinary welcome accorded him and his entourage since they arrived in Italy and for making the necessary arrangements for him to pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of Modena - Dr. Georgio Pighi - and on the Mayor of Vignola – Dr. Daria Denti.
The Paramount Chief said they held useful discussions and visited fruit preservation firms. “I have noticed a strong bond of friendship and unity within our people here and hope such spirit of togetherness and love will continue to strengthen them towards the progress of our Region in Ghana,” he said.
When he made his entry into the auditorium in the company of the four other Chiefs and the Minister, the pomp and pageantry wasn’t far from what is normally witnessed in Ghana.
The guests were entertained by ‘Fontomfrom’ cultural group based in Udine, who performed Ghana’s tradition songs as the ‘adowa’ and ‘kete’ dancers put up an amazing display before the Chiefs. 
It got so exciting that Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II himself took to the floor to show his dancing skills, attracting wild cheers from the audience.
After an initial introduction of the Chiefs and specials guests, Angela Akwabea, wearing a neatly-cut Ghanaian dress, sang the Ghana National Anthem with an outstanding voice.
The four Chiefs from Ghana did not come only to show flamboyance but also took the podium to provide a wealth of information about the Brong Ahafo Region and on investment possibilities.
Oseadeéyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV delivered an inspiring speech, narrating the history of the Region.
He said among other things, that the Brong Ahafo kingdom emerged in the later part of the 13th century, being the first centralised ‘Akan’ State to have emerged.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Union members for inviting him and the other Chiefs to the ceremony and encouraged all to invest back home.
He also asked the Union members to live as brothers and sisters coming from one community and to be committed to Ghana whilst obeying the laws of Italy.
Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II also encouraged Ghanaians in Italy to work hard and save for the future. He urged them to make sure their children get proper education to prepare for a better future. “You must also engage yourselves in profitable ventures and go for the opportunities that prevail in Italy.
In his speech, Nana Barffour Asare Twi Brempong II said an estimated value of 263.43 million Ghana cedis (equivalent to 181.16 million dollars) worth of investments in the Region was recorded in the first quarter of this year which showed a significant increase of more than 900% compared to last year (2009) within the same period.
The Foreign Direct Investment (F.D.I.) component recorded in the first quarter of 2010 was also estimated at 225.68 million Ghana cedis (equivalent to 161.34 million dollars) representing 85.75% of the estimated value, an increase of about 876% compared to the same period last year, he stated.
The Adontenhene said that the Region contributes about 30% of Ghana’s Agricultural food requirements which has given it the accolade “the bread basket of Ghana.”
It produces an enormous amount of products such as cashew nuts, mangoes, cassava, maize, yam, tomatoes and cocoa into which people can invest, the Adontenhene said.
Mr. Baah extended a good will message from the Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy to the Union. ”I thank the Executive members of BACU for this occasion knowing that unity always strengthens communities. Show the kind of love you have shown throughout the Union’s existence,” he added.
Pastor Joe Ali, Chairman of BACU also addressed the guests before the Secretary of the Union, Mark Acheampong, took the podium to explain the aims of the Union.
He said the Union aims at promoting unity and healthy relations among its members, fostering an intercultural co-existence, providing social relief in the event of illness, accident, disabilities, distress and bereavement.
The Union will participate, where necessary, in matters affecting social, political and economic development in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Secretary said.
The15-member Committee of the Union in addition to the Patrons and Advisers were introduced to the audience before Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II cut the tape to officially declare the Union inaugurated.
There was an added grandeur ceremony when Jonas Yaw Boateng and Grace Owusua were enstooled as BACU Chief and Queenmother respectively. The two stood before Oseadeèyo Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV and his kingsmen to swear an oath of allegiance amid traditional drumming.
By Reggie Tagoe