Sunyani: Mr Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister, has called on kingmakers to adhere strictly to customs and traditions in the enstoolment of chiefs and queens to stem the growing chieftaincy disputes in the region. He said chieftaincy disputes remained a daunting challenge, threatening the peace and security of the region, and urged the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to expedite action for the amicable resolution of those disputes.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Akwaboa made the call when addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of the region to climax the weeklong celebration of the 2025 Meko Bono Festival at Odomase in the Sunyani West Municipality on the theme: 'From Unity, Heritage to Prosperity'. The Bonofie, an event organiser, organised the festival held annually to celebrate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people.
Mr Akwaboa said chieftaincy disputes were also detrimental to holistic development, saying those disputes jeopardized peace and social cohesion and thereby slowed down the development process. He gave the assurance that the government remained committed to implementing key programmes like the 'Big Push', saying many deplorable roads in the region had been captured for reconstruction under the programme, expected to commence by the end of August this year.
Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, the Paramount Chief of the Atebubu Traditional Area, called for deepened unity and social cohesion, saying 'our unity is a legacy we must sustain and preserve'. He asked the people to leverage the festival to promote agro-tourism, eco-tourism, and indigenous fashion for job creation, economic growth and poverty reduction.
Ohempon Dr Asiamah outlined plans by the Advisory Board of the Festival to establish cultural entrepreneurial training for artisanal workers and a diaspora investment tour as well as the construction of the Bono Heritage Centre to preserve and promote the customs and tradition of the Bono people.
