TO PIERVINCENZO CANALE - AFRICANEWS.IT

I do think it is important to feature such positive stories about legally-settled African immigrants on your website - so that you will attract positive energy to your online publication.

That is why I sent you the ghanaweb link to that marvellous story about the achievements of those hardworking Ghanaian entrepreneurs in Italy, in the first place - and asked you to contact them!

Perhaps another story you might follow up (and invite op-eds on its possible ramifications in Africa from your website's members and visitors), is the recent agreement between Italy and Libya to pay reparations for the exploitation of that country, during the period when Italy colonised it.

Unfortunately, it appears that most ordinary people in sub-Saharan Africa do not understand the significance of a former European colonial power agreeing to pay reparations to its former colony in Africa, in today's world.

It is a precedent that could have a huge impact on Africa's economy - if our leaders did a little "thinking-outside-the-box" about the possibilities it opens up for them, in Europe.

Would it not make sense, for Africa's leaders to demand that as a form of payment of reparations in kind, for the tragedy of being parcelled out amongst European powers in the 19th century (for the sole benefit of those self-same European powers!), the EU ought to follow Italy's enlightened example - and allow full access to its markets for goods and services produced in Africa?

It would make a great deal of sense therefore, in my view, for the AU member-nations to work hard to get prominent individuals in Europe, such as U2's Bono and the celebrated anti-African poverty campaigner, Sir Bob Geldorf, as well as civil society groups in Europe, to support Africa in fighting for precisely such an end.

That is one of the surest ways of creating sustainable wealth across Africa - as countless individuals and private enterprises seize the opportunity to trade their way out of poverty across the continent, following in the footsteps of those Ghanaian immigrants in Italy.

Perhaps it could be the EU's more refined and infinitely more sustainable answer, to America's African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Trade and Development Act of 2000; P.L. 106-200? Stay blessed!

Best wishes,

Kofi.