The Vice President made the call when she addressed a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Bono descent in Atebubu to climax the fifth edition of the festival.

“For 5 years ‘Meko Bono’ has provided the people of ‘Bonoman’ with an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage and with one another. That connection can be a powerful source for development. The people who return bring experience, professional network, ideas and in some cases investments.” She said, adding that that development moves faster when public investment is matched by the energy and enterprise of the people.

The Veep stressed governments commitment to providing infrastructure like roads and investments in agriculture to meet the aspirations of the people.

The Bono East regional minister Hon. Francis Owusu Antwi announced that government has made two dialysis machines available to boost the care of kidney related diseases in the region adding that plans are far advanced to establish two new colleges of education in the region.

The Omanhene of the Atebubu traditional area Ohenpong Dr. Yeboah Asiamah recounted a number of activities preceding the grand durbar and said the objective of the festival is to foster unity amongst the Bono people, showcase their unique cultural heritage and harness resources to accelerate development. He thanked all who contributed to the success of the festival.

The President of the Bono regional house of chiefs and ‘Domaahene’ Osagyefo Dr. Agyeman Badu led a fundraiser to mobilize resources for investments in job creating ventures for the benefit of the youth.

The Nsawkawhene, Daasebre Okogyeaman Doudu Ampim II chaired the function.

Present were the minister of tourism, culture and creative arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin, Hon. Sanja Nanja, MMDCEs and high ranking National Democratic Congress officials from the Bono East region.