In a remarkable move to preserve and promote the Bono people's unique cultural history, the Bonoman Institute has launched the Bono Twi Project for scholarly pursuit.
The effort, which seeks to ensure that the Bono language is studied and written in schools throughout the Bono Region, has gained enthusiastic support from major stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders.
The Bonoman Institute, a key advocate for the preservation of Bono culture, has taken a brave step to ensure that the Bono language, also known as Bono Twi, is studied and written in schools.
The Bono Twi Project for Academic Pursuit was launched at Sunyani Technical University (STU) in Sunyani, the Bono Region's capital, in the presence of prominent figures such as Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of the Sunyani Catholic Diocese.
Okokyeredom Sekyi Ako II, Vice President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs; Joseph Addae Akwaboa, Bono Regional Minister; Alfred Tuah Yeboah, former deputy Attorney General; Kweku Agyemang Manu, former Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central and Minister of Health; and Professor Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kanatanka, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Cape Coast, among others.
Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the event's chairman, urged all citizens, particularly young people, to adopt and promote the Bono language. "We must be proud of our language, as it is the cornerstone of our identity.
The Bono language is more than just a medium of communication; it also represents our history, values, and traditions. I urge all residents, particularly youth, to embrace and promote our language. This project by the Bonoman Institute is a step in the right direction, and I applaud their efforts.
In a speech on behalf of the special guest of honor, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyeman Badu II, the vice president of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and the Paramount Chief of Drobo Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Sekyi Ako II, urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to support the initiative and ensure that children learn and use the Bono language in their daily lives.
The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, who was also present at the event, promised the government's backing for the initiative. To assure the Bono language's long-term viability, he prioritized its integration into the school curriculum.
"I will work with the Bonoman Institute and other stakeholders to ensure that the Bono language is taught and written in schools throughout the region." This is about more than just preserving our past; it is also about empowering our future. He spoke.
In an interview with 3News' Claude Kumi Abisa, Yaw Kyeremeh, a native of the Bono Region, said the idea has been largely accepted and sees it as a critical step towards preserving their traditional identity.
"I am quite pleased with this project. Our language defines who we are, and it is critical that our children learn it. This will help children understand their beginnings and feel proud of their history." The Bono Twi Project's introduction signifies a huge step forward in the preservation and promotion of the Bono language.
With the cooperation of religious, traditional, and government authorities, the effort is expected to have a long-term impact on the Bono Region's cultural landscape. This serves as a reminder that language is more than just a means of communication; it is also an essential component of our identity and legacy.
