GHANAIANS IN REGGIO EMILIA CELEBRATES GHANA’S GOLDEN JUBILEE WITH A GOSPEL PROGRAME

The auditorium of “Centro Internazionale Loris Malaguzzi” was filled with a great number of Ghanaians within the estimation of 800, amongst them were also Gospel Musical Groups from the various Churches in Reggio - Emilia on the 16th of June, held a special Gospel Night organised by the Executives of the Ghana Nationals Association in Reggio Emilia, as they begin to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence.

Beginning the celebration in a Gospel Train, Pastor Winston Kwatia, Secretary of the Ghana Nationals Association, RE, led in an opening prayer inviting God to make the program a success and this surely did.

Being a National program too, the Italian Anthem was instrumentally played, and Sister Florence, a famous Gospel Musician, accompanied by Sister Rosemary Osei, also a Gospel Musician and Elder Twim, led the audience in singing the Ghana National anthem, “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana”, and continued with a joyful praises and worship; handkerchiefs and “kente” mufflers waving in the air and with different dancing-styles made a glorious atmosphere.

Special invitees included the General Secretary of CISL in Reggio Emilia, Signore Giuseppe Pagani, who gave a short speech, saying that, he does not know where Ghana is nor anything about Ghana, but he has learned something about the Ghanaian community through the relationship he has with Mr. Hastings Osei Anokye, the President of the Ghana Nationals Association in Reggio, and that he was really grateful to celebrate the occasion with the Ghanaians. Pastor Tagoe, Pastor Enu of the Apostolic Faith Church in Verona, Pastor Ofori Asante, of the Assemblies of God Church, Pastor Kuma of the Zoe International Church and Pastor Charles Owusu Afram of the Latter Glory Church also make it up to the occasion.

The various Musical Groups from the different churches were; The Apostolic Foundation Church Choir, The Church of Pentecost Choir, The African Catholic Church Choir, The Assemblies of God Church Choir, The More than Conquerors singing group from the Latter Glory Church, The Word of Life Church Choir, The Apostolic Faith Church in Reggio, The Seventh Day Adventist Church (S.D.A) Choir, The Zoe International Church Choir and The Apostolic Faith singing group all the way from Verona.

With these groups and other soloists like Sister Rosemary Osei, Sister Florence, Sister Daniella Nyantakyi, Brother William Ofori and Elder Twim ministering their numerous songs with their angelic voices made the occasion worth-holding.

The President of the Ghanaian Community in Reggio, Mr. Hastings Osei Anokye who is also a Pastor, delivered his speech after a video clip viewing Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's speech on the 6th of March, 1957. Mr. Osei Anokye said, “ we all need to unite to the glory of God”. “Come and lets join hands and build a good Ghanaian Community in Reggio Emilia”, he concluded.

“Jubilee in the Bible means liberty”, Pastor Ofori Asante, from the Assemblies of God Church said when delivering a sermon. “Year of jubilee is a year of rest and God will be the giver”, he added and continued as “God uses jubilee as a year of reconciliation, so let us forgive ourselves and live together in unity”.

The Executives of the Association who came up with ideas and help in whatever way in holding the occasion were also introduced, thus, for the Ghanaian attendants to know their executives. Beginning with Mr. Fiifi Yamoah - Patron, Mr. Hastings Osei Anokye - President, Mr. Winston Kwatia – Secretary, Mr. Micheal Antwi – Assistant Secretary, , Mrs. Francesca Ferguson – Financial Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Anani Mensah – Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Walker – Co-ordinator, Mr. Bismark Amaning– Organiser and Mrs. Margaret Osei Anokye – Women's Organiser.

Everyone participated in the program by joining in the singing or dancing or both, and all were impressed with what took place.

In an interview with some of the attendants, Mr. Ransford Kwateng, Choir-master of the African Catholic Church in Reggio, said, “it was great and more than expected”. Madam Evelyn Sarpong also admitted that it was indeed a great show and she prays for unity and peace amongst her fellow Ghanaians. Madam Florence Ackah also gave her comment that, it was a night to remember and she is looking forward to seeing another occasion as such; “I wish Ghanaians will live together in peace and harmony”, she concluded. Mr. Charles Obeng, who is also popularly known as “water-ho” gave his word that, he really liked the atmosphere that rose in the hall and prays that Ghana will be the most peaceful or at least among the peaceful countries in the world.
I believe that if early indications are taken into considerations then next Saturday 23 June's D day program with the Ambassador himself as the guest of honour will be a great event.

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