Former First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama has emphasised the importance of peace and unity among the Bono people.
She was speaking at the 2024 Beko Bono festival in Techiman.
A native of the Bono East region, Mrs Mahama thanked the traditional leaders and organisers for the invitation and congratulated them for a splendid event.
She celebrated the Bono people’s rich history and entrepreneurial spirit, highlighting their unique humility, acceptance, hard work, and bravery, which made them stand out in our country’s multicultural society.
Mrs Mahama pointed to the region’s immense potential with its many tourist attractions as valuable opportunities that could stimulate development and economic growth across the three Bono regions.
The former first lady referred to the creation of the three new regions out of the former Brong Ahafo Regions and passionately appealed to the people to continue to see themselves as one people and commit to unifying their communities. She noted that development will only come when they remain united and embrace change as a catalyst to advance the region’s growth.
“We must recognise that we are one people, regardless of whether we hail from Bono East, Bono, or Ahafo. It is crucial to remember that we are all Bono people, and there is no distinction between us,” she added.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr Nana Agyemang Badu II, President of the Bono House of Chiefs, outlined an ambitious plan to raise funds to establish factories in Bono areas to create job opportunities for the youth.
He announced a personal contribution of seven hundred thousand Ghana cedis to the festival organisers on behalf of the Dormaa community to fund a significant project within the Techiman traditional area.
Also present at the festival were the 2024 National Democratic Congress running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang; Bono East Regional Minister Kwasi Adu-Gyan; current and former ministers of state; Members of Parliament; and Municipal and District Chief Executives.