The Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has reignited debate over the identity, history and autonomy of the Bono people, urging renewed efforts to address what he describes as longstanding injustices rooted in Ghana’s pre-colonial past.
Delivering a thought-provoking address, the Bishop outlined what he termed the “Bono Question” – a complex issue involving history, culture, politics and identity.
Bishop Gyamfi was speaking in Sunyani earlier today at the inauguration of a ten-member Governing Advisory Board of the Bonoman Institute.
The Advisory Board is chaired by Prof. Richardson Addai-Mununkum, an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Education, Winneba with Nana Saa Gyamfuaa, Member of the Council of State and the Queen Mother of Anyima as Vice Chair Person.
Dr. George Adjei-Henne (Barima Dr. Adjei-Henneh Aframfo), the Atipimhene of Mpuasu- Japekrom Traditional Area will serve as the Secretary to the Board.
Members of the Advisory Board include a former Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah; Nana Sasraku Sradaa I, a renowned broadcast journalist and the Adontenhemaa of Dormaa Aboabo No. 4; Nana Asamoah Kumtwie I, the Chief of Nseseresu and Mansen Manwerehene; Solomon Ameyaw, CEO of Lionsgate Logistics, Citizen Frozen foods, K&A Building Materials Limited; Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, a retired Public Servant; Joyce Gyedu, a Health Administrator at the University Hospital, Lewisham, London and Francis Kwaku Ansu Gyabaa, Founder and President of the Bonoman Institute.
Twisted narratives
Bishop Gyamfi challenged narratives that portray the Bono people as subordinate to other ethnic groups, insisting that historical evidence points to the Bono as founders of one of the earliest Akan civilizations in present-day Ghana.
According to him, the Bono kingdom, established as far back as the 13th century, played a foundational role in shaping the cultural and administrative systems later adopted by other Akan states.
However, he noted that subsequent wars, conquests and the trans-Atlantic slave trade disrupted this legacy, with some states allegedly benefiting at the expense of others.
Reparations
Bishop Gyamfi, who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, questioned why issues of historical injustice within Ghana have largely been overlooked, especially at a time when global conversations around reparations for slavery are gaining momentum.
He asked whether Ghana, as a nation, should also reflect internally on past conflicts and injustices among its own ethnic groups.
He further raised concerns over cultural artifacts taken during inter-ethnic conflicts, suggesting that just as items looted during colonial rule are being returned by foreign institutions, similar efforts should be made within Ghana to restore heritage to its rightful custodians.
Internal colonisation
A significant portion of his address focused on what he described as “internal colonisation,” where some groups continue to assert traditional authority over others based on historical conquests and cited the Bono experience as an example, questioning the legitimacy of such claims in a modern democratic state.
“Why should any group claim ownership over another people and their land based on past conquests?” he asked, drawing parallels with Ghana’s own resistance to colonial rule.
The Bishop warned that such dynamics, if left unaddressed, could fuel tensions and undermine national unity. He called on the state to confront these issues openly and work towards justice and equality for all ethnic groups.
He also highlighted what he referred to as a psychological dimension to the issue, arguing that prolonged subordination has affected the self-identity and confidence of some Bono people. This, he said, has led to a situation where elements within the community align themselves with perceived dominant groups.
Bono heritage
To address these challenges, Bishop Gyamfi stressed the urgent need for documenting and promoting Bono history and tasked institutions such as the Bonoman Institute to lead efforts in researching, writing and disseminating a comprehensive account of the Bono heritage.
“Without a clear understanding of our history, we risk losing our identity,” he noted, adding that history plays a critical role in shaping a people’s confidence and future.
He also advocated for the promotion of Bono language and literature, including its introduction in schools, as part of broader efforts to preserve cultural identity.
Bishop Gyamfi called on Bono leaders, intellectuals and policymakers to take deliberate steps towards reclaiming their history and strengthening their cultural identity and emphasized that true freedom and dignity must be pursued actively by the people themselves.
The address has sparked conversations within academic, cultural and political circles, with many others expected to weigh in on the broader implications for national cohesion and historical accountability in Ghana.
Resource hub
For his part, the Founder and President of the Bonoman Institute, Kwaku Ansu Gyabaah, said the organization was founded on the belief that “meaningful change begins when people come together with shared values, clear purpose, and unwavering commitment.”
He noted that over the years, the Institute has positioned itself as a resource hub dedicated to research, documentation, preservation, and promotion of Bono culture and heritage, while also contributing to education, youth empowerment, and community development.
Unity in diversity
According to him, the inauguration comes at a critical moment for Bonoman, as the region navigates challenges that require unity, reflection, and renewed determination. “We have faced adversities, but our spirit remains unbroken. Now, we look ahead to reconciliation, rebuilding, and rejuvenation,” he said.
Mr. Gyabaah emphasized the importance of unity in diversity, describing Bonoman as a region rich in cultures, languages, and traditions but bound by a shared destiny. He stressed that the Institute’s vision is to create an inclusive society where every individual is empowered and every tradition respected.
He explained that the Advisory Board will play a crucial role in shaping the Institute’s future, providing strategic guidance and expertise to strengthen its impact. “This Board is more than a governance structure – it is a beacon of experience and insight that will help us navigate challenges and seize opportunities,” he stated.
Challenges
Despite the optimism, Mr. Gyabaah acknowledged significant operational challenges facing the Institute, particularly in funding and logistics. He revealed that the organization currently relies on the goodwill of individuals, with no remuneration for its leaders and limited access to office space, equipment, and vehicles.
These constraints, he said, are affecting the Institute’s ability to fully implement key initiatives such as the School-Based Bono Twi Pilot under the Bono Literacy Programme, even as demand for its services continues to grow.
Describing the situation as challenging but not insurmountable, he called on stakeholders, individuals, and corporate bodies to support the Institute through funding, resources, and partnerships.
Mr. Gyabaah expressed confidence that with collective effort, the Institute can overcome its challenges and drive meaningful transformation in Bonoman, ultimately positioning the Bono people to make a positive impact on the world.
Partnerships
Drobohene, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, who presided, tasked the Bonoman Institute to build strategic partnerships with the media, other policy and research think tanks and universities towards the promotion of the socio-economic development of the Bono people, and further urged the institute to ne non-partisan in its work.
(Story by Richard Kofi Boahen, Managing Editor, rbnewshub.com)
