Italian PM tells African govts to create jobs at home

African governments  have been urged to create jobs and give opportunities to the people to stop migration from the continent to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.

That, according to the Italian Prime Minister, Mr Matteo Renzi,  would stop the youth in Africa from migrating to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.

Addressing Ghana's Parliament in Accra yesterday, Mr Renzi said Italy, for its part, would continue to save people on the Mediterranean Sea because of its respect for human dignity.

He also called for more European investment in Africa, adding that the creation of jobs would reduce the migration and ultimately mitigate the incidence of human trafficking.

Many people from Africa and the Middle East are making dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to reach countries of the European Union. Some die in the process.

The principal route has long been from North Africa across the central Mediterranean, but increasing numbers are now crossing the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) from Turkey to the Greek islands.

Collaboration

Mr Renzi, who was addressing Parliament as part of activities marking his two-day visit to Ghana, called for a strong collaboration between Ghana and Italy to bring about the needed investment in infrastructure development and job creation in Ghana.

He used the Akan expression: "Boa me na me mboa wo", to wit, "Help me and let me help", to drum home his point.

The Italian Prime Minister said Italy's investment plan with Ghana would last till 2026 and indicated that the long period signified the friendship and future of the relations between the two countries.

The plan covers the energy sector, especially gas supply, infrastructure development and agriculture.

He lauded Ghana's democratic values, especially the way the people worked in unity.

“The way you work together is a weapon against violence and against terrorism,” Mr Renzi stressed.

He said terrorists tried to kill people and when they were not successful, they tried to create chaos among the people.

"We must work together to fight them in the name of democracy. The future is for our children," he said.

Nkrumah's vision of unity

Mr Renzi urged Africa to revisit Dr Nkrumah's vision of African unification, which was being practised by Europe now.

He said he had read Nkrumah's book: "Africa Must Unite", and expressed the belief that Africa must go the way of unification.

Speaker

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, lauded Mr Renzi for delivering a thought-provoking speech and pledged that the House “will give due consideration to the content of the message”.

He expressed optimism that Mr Renzi’s visit to Ghana would deepen the cordial relations between the two countries.