Ghanians in Torino celebrate Ghanafest

The diasporic Ghanaian community in Torino, Italy have celebrated Ghanafest .The first of it's kind in the city.The programme was organized in commemeration of Ghana's 49th Republic anniversary and also to show-case Ghana's cultural heritage to the italians and other nationals in the country who have no idea about our culture was under the theme Cultural Diversity, Integration and Development.

The enthusiastic Ghanaians in their colourful kente clothes trooping to the valentine's park the venue of the occation were the centre of attraction The programme commenced with an opening prayer by Osofo Maame Madwoa a sensational gospel musician in the country .The newly installedGhanian king of Torino Nana Torino also poured libation as a form of a traditional prayer to our ancestors to the amazement of the sizable number of foreigners who taught it was an occult practice.

The MC of the occasion Bright Wadjah and his co MC Priscilla Mensah had to explain the significance of the pouring of libation "We are all assembled here this afternoon as one people,black or white.We share the joy of welcoming u to this august assemble to have a feel of our cultural heritage and have feel of the Ghanaian hospitality".The president of the Ghanaian community Ahinkurah in his welcome address said.After which the national anthem of Ghana was played.

Mr. Eric Sepenu, the president of the organising committee of Ghanafest gave a brief history of Ghanna which was greeted with a thunderous applause from the sizable number of audience gathered there from various countries A standing oviation was given to Osofo Maame Maadwoa as she entreated the audience with her inspirationl gospel music.Hip-life artist Oboy Sika who is also making it big on the international scene was also at his performing best .As the euphoria reaches it's boiling-point the elderly tried their skills on the ewe traditional dance (agbagya).The ashanti community was not left out,they also tried their skills on the "adowa "and "kete" dance with the dj providing music at the back ground known in the local parlance as nyomekro.It was all traditional.It was the kids who stole the show.coming in turns they entreated the audience with an impeccable cat -walk show to their admiration who were chanting to every move they made.

While a video coverage of Ghana@50 was beaming on the screen others too were trying their skills on some local Ghanaian indoor games like ludo," oware " and draughts and some girls playing "ampe" with intermittent music provided by the dj The occasion has generated great enthusiasm that even the italian pressmen who were present could not believe their eyes and watching evey moment with rapt attention

Another important part of the programme was the food exhibition. In this aspect Ghana was joined by Peru and Italy in exhibiting their local dishes.Mrs Bianco,a patroness of the Ghanaian association lead the Ghanaian delegation in introducing to the audience the various Ghanaian delicacies .There were also alcoholic beverage like pusher and alomo gin bitters.After tasting some of our local bitters, some of our brothers and sisters from other countries decided to go on a boozing spree .At this point your guess is good as mine.The president of the Peruvian Association in Torino Mr Osvaldo also led the peruvian delegation.The youth took over after the food exhibition to celebration deep into the night with uninterrupted music provided by the dj