Fellow Ghanaians,

I am pleased to be able to reach out to you once again, as we travel through this COVID period. The brunt of the crisis has been borne and we are now in the “Coexisting with the virus” stage.

The Northern Region of Italy was locked down on 23^rd February 2020, followed by the whole country being lockdown and locked-in on 9^th March 2020, with the declaration of the Covid 19 pandemic.

We were not ready for such a crisis, which has not only taken over the year 2020, but changed the whole world. The change it has brought to us individually and as a society, has been far reaching. We have had to accept and make the necessary changes to our way of life. We have had to adhere to the requisite health and social distancing protocols issued by the Italian authorities during the varying phases of the crisis. This has resulted in sacrifices to our work and incomes. It has not been an easy four months, but you have been able to stay the course despite the challenges.

I must applaud you all for your perseverance though the very difficult times. Please accept my sincere gratitude to you for being law-abiding throughout. You have lived up to the reputation that the Ghanaian Community has throughout Italy, as one of the best-behaved communities in the country. AYEKOO ! !

My heartfelt sympathies go to all the families which have had to bear a loss at this time. Our hearts and prayers have been with you despite the social distancing. May the souls of your loved ones rest in perfect peace.

We give thanks to God for those who have recovered, and pray that they will not suffer from any stigmatization.

The Italian authorities undertook phased measures to slowly bring the country out of the lockdown situation from the 4^th May 2020. As was recently announced by the Italian Government, we are now in the phase of “co-existing with the virus”. From 3^rd June 2020, the borders of Italy were opened for travel within Europe depending on the rules in the country of destination. Additionally, travel within different regions of the country also begun from 3^rd June, 2020. This has provided opportunity for travelling to Rome to regularize all your outstanding documentation needs.

The Embassy has therefore been able to begin a partial resumption of Consular Services to the public, as has been advertised on the Embassy’s website. A novel way of accessing Consular services has been introduced. This service however, is STRICTLY via telephone or email appointment basis only. We know you all urgently need the service and the Embassy is poised to serve you as efficiently as possible. I urge you to continue to obey the hygiene protocols while travelling to Rome. Please also obey the procedures put in place at the Embassy. These are for your safety and the safety of the staff as well. The earlier stricter measures adopted by the authorities which certainly resulted in the reduction of the numbers of COVID-19 infection rates and the number of deaths, are even more important now. It important to stress that the measures adopted by the Embassy also are for strict compliance and are   crucial for the objective of preventing the risk of further infections.

Even though things are much improved in Italy, there still remain active sources of contagion. As President Sergio Mattarella has cautioned, the threat posed by the virus has not ended. It is in this light that the Embassy urges you to continue to be prudent, stay vigilant and maintain the requisite social-distancing measures. As much as possible, we should adopt the Italian slogan “#iorestoacasa”, stay at home and stay safe.

In the meantime, I know you are all looking forward to the day that travel back to Ghana will be possible.

I was recently interviewed by a section of the Ghanaian media on the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, entitled “Sharing the Italian Experience”. I used the opportunity to inform of your wellbeing, and spoke on the challenges you have been able to overcome during this period.

Our President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, continues to encourage Ghanaians with information on all that the government is doing to keep the disease in check at home, despite the increase in positive cases identified. In his message broadcast of 14th June 2020, assured that the qualitative data, obtained from the continued policy of Testing, Tracing and Treatment of the incidence of the disease, provides the best information for the authorities to effectively curb the spread of the disease, and ultimately in the reduction of confirmed cases. By being guided by the data, the government is able to therefore plan the best way to ease the restrictions. Mr. President appealed for the cooperation all Ghanaians to overcome this coronavirus crisis, which will in turn be necessary for the health of the economy. He therefore called upon us all to work together towards building a strong vibrant economy, creation   of jobs for the masses of the young people and providing opportunities and aspirations for all. Ghana will then no longer be a pawn nor victim of the world order. By this, the vision of the founding fathers of a free, progressive and prosperous Ghana will be attained.           

So have the assurance, that at home in Ghana, all is being done to keep your families safe. At the same time, the government is working hard to protect and build up the Ghanaian economy. With the experience you have had here during the extremely difficult   days of the crisis, you are in the best position to advise your family members and friends at home of the importance of cooperating with the authorities and keeping to the hygiene protocols, particularly the social distancing.

Fellow Compatriots, though things are much better and we have been released from the lockdown, the crisis is not over yet. We all have a role to play in ensuring that we do overcome and are able to get out of this coronavirus situation with all its consequences.

Our President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said recently “we are in this together and we will come out of this together” Let us therefore make it our goal to remain patient, law abiding, respectful of the rules instituted by our local authorities, both there in Italy and in Ghana and cooperate with them as they continue to put in place the measures that will save our lives, and the economy.

May God continue to bless us all and our homeland Ghana.

                                                                      EUDORA HILDA QUARTEY KORANTENG (MRS.)

                                                                                             AMBASSADOR

Dear Compatriots,

On the 27th February 2020, the Embassy announced the suspension of the delivery of Consular Services to the public due the escalation of the COVID-19 disease in Italy as it spread all over the country. In the intervening period to date, I have maintained contact with you through this medium to encourage you all through the very difficult days of the fight against the virus. Indeed, you have remained law abiding and respectful of the rules instituted by our local authorities.

The Italian authorities have currently initiated the processes for coming out of the lockdown, with the Phase Two “co-existing with the virus” programme. Under this programme various places have been relieved of being locked down, including some workplaces. I am therefore happy to inform you that the Embassy is busily preparing to resume Consular Services on a partial or limited basis.

Bearing in mind the various health protocols instituted by the authorities and being in constant touch with the authorities in Ghana, the Embassy is working to put in place measures which, if respected by all will protect everyone while we open our doors once again to the public, albeit on a limited basis.

Consequently, it has been decided to resume partial services from Thursday, 28th May, 2020 but on strictly telephone or email appointments basis only, until further notice. I wish to emphasise that any applicant/visitor who visits the embassy without prior appointment will not be allowed entry. Kindly note the attached   guidelines to be observed by all applicants.

Meanwhile, I can inform that back home, Government is putting in great effort to ensure that our families in Ghana are safe. Rigid testing and contact tracing protocols are helping to gather the requisite data for scientific evaluation for management the disease. This includes review of global developments in relation to COVID-19, which will ensure that the situation in Ghana is in keeping with world standards.

With regard to the opening of our borders and airports however, and any decision in this matter, Mission will communicate information as soon as it is released.

The Embassy wishes to thank all Ghanaians for their patience during these difficult times.

May God continue to bless us all and our homeland Ghana.

EUDORA HILDA QUARTEY KORANTENG (MRS.)
HEAD OF MISSION

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PARTIAL RESUMPTION OF CONSULAR SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana wishes to inform the general public that it shall commence the partial Consular Services to the public from Thursday, 28^th May 2020.

In this regard, applicants who intend to access Consular Services at the Embassy, must until further notice, first obtain appointment by adopting either of the following:

i) Send an email clearly indicating the nature of service required to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    

OR

ii) Call telephone numbers : (+39)3209617940 OR (+39)3333818891

All applicants who request Consular Services through either of the two channels above will be issued UNIQUE REFERENCE CODES and APPOINTMENT DATES. Without these, applicants may NOT visit the Embassy and will NOT be served should they attempt to do so.

The UNIQUE REFERENCE CODES given to applicants must be referred to in all communication with the Consular Section.

Applicants whose services may not require personal visits to the Embassy will be accordingly advised following their initial phone or email enquiry.

HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROTOCOLS TO BE OBSERVED AT THE EMBASSY WILL BE AS SET OUT BELOW FOR THE GUIDANCE OF APPLICANTS

Kindly note for strict observance.

Rome 24^th May 2020

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

BARIKA DA SALAH !!

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to wish you, our Muslims brothers and sisters BARIKA DA SALAH! Congratulations for successfully completing your fast and prayers, during these difficult times. Your resolve, resilience, and courage with the hopefulness that faith gives, are what I believe have kept you focused in this holy observance.

I would also wish to thank all Ghanaians for their support to our Muslim colleagues during the past 30 days. Our collective efforts at such times, provide the sense of unity that has enabled them to successfully complete the important pillar of their faith.

It is auspicious that the celebration has coincided with the easing of the restrictions. We are now to gradually attempt to enter ‘Phase Two’, of the easing of the restrictions by the Italian Government, and learn to “coexist with the virus”. The virus has not been exterminated and is still hovering around us. During the height of the crisis we remained law abiding and respectful of the rules instituted by our local authorities. Since the crisis is not totally over yet, permit me to use this occasion to sound a cautious reminder that we should be circumspect in our celebrations as we continue to observe all health protocols.

As we celebrate Holy Ramadan, it is my fervent hope that our faith and our prayers will keep us strong and continue to bring hope and comfort during these unprecedented times.

We have a lot to be thankful for, especially as the figures related to the COVOD-19 pandemic continue to reduce, and as restrictive measures are gradually being relaxed in accordance with the directives of the Italian government.

Let us continue to be guided by the safety measures prescribed by the authorities to enable us continually fight the pandemic that has completely changed our way of life these past months.

In the meantime, please be assured that the Embassy is still in the process of making every effort to ensure that all measures will soon be in place to enable us reach out to you, particularly in your Consular needs. These measures are to ensure the safety of everyone in our fight against the COVID -19 pandemic. The Embassy telephone lines, as well as the emergency numbers are still active.

I wish you all a joyous Eid Il Fitr celebration.

God bless our homeland Ghana.

Eudora Hilda Quartey Koranteng
Ambassador

THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF GHANA IS COLLATING INFORMATION ON GHANAIAN AND LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS WHO ARE STRANDED ABROAD AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSURE OF INTERNATIONAL BORDERS IN CONTAINMENT OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

TO THIS END, ELIGIBLE NATIONALS WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY FOR THEIR COST OF TRAVEL TO GHANA MUST SUBMIT THEIR DETAILS SPECIFIED BELOW, TO THE GHANA EMBASSY IN ROME, NOT LATER THAN TUESDAY 19^TH MAY 2020, BY MIDDAY:

• NAME AND A COPY OF THE BIO DATA PAGE OF PASSPORT
• CURRENT LOCATION
• TELEPHONE CONTACT
• WHATSAPP NUMBER
• EMAIL ADDRESS
• DATE OF TRAVEL FROM GHANA
• ORIGINAL DATE OF EXPECTED RETURN TO GHANA
• COPY OF RETURN TICKET
• REASONS FOR INABILITY TO RETURN TO GHANA AND CONFIRMATION OF ABILITY TO PAY FOR ARRANGED AIR TRAVEL

THE REQUESTED INFORMATION SHOULD BE EMAILED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

 

                                                                                                                   ROME, 14^TH MAY 2020