Italy, Ghana mark 69th Independence Day with push for stronger economic ties

The Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic cooperation between Italy and Ghana during a joint celebration of Ghana’s 69th Independence Day held in Rome.

The event, organised by the Ghanaian Embassies to the Italian Republic and the Holy See, took place at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri under the theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”

Opening the ceremony, Mona Helen Kabuki Quartey, Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, and Ben Assorow, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Holy See, highlighted the importance of strengthening diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

They were joined by Federico Bernardi, Deputy Head of the Office for Central and West Africa at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who underscored the growing collaboration between Italy and Ghana.

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Beyond commemorating Ghana’s independence, the event served as a platform for dialogue on expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. Participants emphasised the importance of sustained engagement, mutual understanding and people-to-people connections as foundations for long-term partnerships.

The celebration continued with a business session focused on strengthening commercial relations. Ghanaian companies showcased projects and activities in sectors including digital technology, healthcare and agribusiness.

During the session, Fabrizio Lobasso, Deputy Director General for the Promotion of the Country System at the Italian Foreign Ministry, stressed that cultural exchange, institutional collaboration and deeper understanding between partners are essential in unlocking new business opportunities.

He also highlighted the role of the Italian system under the Mattei Plan, which aims to enhance economic engagement between Italy and African countries, including Ghana.

Representing Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, the organisation’s Marketing and Communications Department delivered remarks on behalf of Flavio Rossano, noting that Italian companies could play a significant role in Ghana’s development agenda, particularly by boosting competitiveness and strengthening the manufacturing sector.

Several member companies are already operating in Ghana across key industries, including energy, logistics, construction materials, machinery, pharmaceutical technologies, industrial refrigeration and vocational training.

The event also featured Alessandro Cugno, Head of the Trade Training Office at the Italian Trade Agency, who presented the agency’s initiatives aimed at supporting Ghanaian businesses.

He highlighted the Lab Innova for Africa programme, which provides technical and managerial training for Ghanaian companies in the agri-food and ICT sectors to promote innovation, build skills and create new opportunities for collaboration with Italian firms.