The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, has reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ghana through expanded cooperation in education, skills development, healthcare, trade and security.
Speaking at a reception hosted at the residence of the Italian Honorary Consul in Kumasi to commemorate Italy’s National Day, Ambassador Ranalli said both countries continued to enjoy strong relations and were exploring new opportunities for collaboration across key sectors.
“We are engaged in progressing our digital flagship initiative and projects in the fields of education and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET),” she stressed.
She disclosed that Italy was preparing to roll out training programmes in the healthcare sector and highlighted a recently launched multi-country cocoa project by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of which Ghana is a beneficiary.
The event marked the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, proclaimed on June 2, 1946, following a referendum on the institutional structure of the state. The celebration attracted members of the Italian community, government officials, traditional leaders and members of the public.
Ambassador Ranalli also announced plans to launch a sustainable wastewater management project that will focus on technological innovation, academic and professional training, as well as civic engagement. The initiative is being undertaken through a partnership between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of L'Aquila in Italy.
“To further cement the partnership, I will meet a team from the KNUST led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, for us to discuss possibility of further cooperation,” she said.
Touching on higher education, the Ambassador noted that a growing number of Italian universities were establishing academic links with Ghanaian institutions.
“In the field of higher education, an increasing number of Italian universities have been looking towards Ghana. Next week, the Rector of the University of Padua, one of the oldest universities in Italy, which has a strong cooperation with KNUST, will visit Ghana,” she said.
She further announced that scholars specialising in Ghanaian and West African studies would gather in Kumasi later this year.
“At the end of July, several Italian scholars who have devoted their professional lives to the study of Ghana and West Africa will take part in the ‘Ghana Studies’ event in Kumasi,” she stated.
Ambassador Ranalli said Ghana and Italy were also strengthening cooperation in security matters, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea, through bilateral, multilateral and European partnerships.
“At the beginning of May, at the Port of Tema, we welcomed the Italian Navy vessel Cigala Fulgosi, undertaking a patrol mission in the Gulf of Guinea. This move formed part of efforts to improve security within the sub-region,” she indicated.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, who represented the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, described Ghana-Italy relations as mutually beneficial and economically significant.
He said trade between the two countries had reached €825 million by 2025, contributing substantially to economic growth in both nations.
“What we have between us is quite significant. It helps the two countries to build and drive our economies,” he said.
“Ghana exports a lot of agricultural products and extractive metals to Italy. In turn, Ghana imports a lot of chemicals and machinery into our country,” he stressed.
Mr Ofori-Agyeman Boadi also encouraged Italian investors to explore opportunities in Kumasi, particularly within the housing sector.
“We are ready as government to help whichever investment that will help us to reduce the 1.2 million housing deficit that we have in our country,” he said.
Representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Otumfuo Anantahene, Baffour Agyei Fosu Twetwekwa II, commended the Italian community for its longstanding contribution to Ghana’s development, particularly in the construction industry.
He urged Italian businesses to increase their investments in the country and expressed optimism about enhanced cultural exchanges between Ghana and Italy.
“We are looking forward to a cultural collaborative event between the Italian Embassy and Kumasi that will be symbolic and promote our cultures,” he said.
