Bono Region

Bono Region
Region
Bui Bayou near the border with Savannah Region
Bui Bayou near the border with Savannah Region
Location of Bono in Ghana
Location of Bono in Ghana
Coordinates: 7°39′N 2°30′W / 7.650°N 2.500°W / 7.650; -2.500
CountryGhana
CapitalSunyani
Districts12
Government
 • Regional MinisterHon Justina Owusu-Banahene [1]
Area
 • Total
11,481 km2 (4,433 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)Census [2]
 • Total
1,208,649
GDP (PPP)
GDP (Nominal)
Time zoneGMT

The Bono region is one of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana. It is as a result of the remainder of Brong-Ahafo region when Bono East region and Ahafo region were created.[3] Sunyani, also known as the green city of Ghana, is the regional capital.[4][5] Sunyani can pride itself as the cleanest capital city and a major conference destination.[6][7]

Creation of the region

The region was created after the Ahafo region and Bono East region respectively have been carved out of the then Brong-Ahafo region. This was in fulfillment of a promise made by candidate Nana Akuffo Addo in his 2016 campaign activities. The implementation of plans for the creation of this region is seeded to the newly created Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development under the leadership of Hon. Dan Botwe. Brong Ahafo Region in effect ceased to exist and so does the Brong Ahafo Region Co-ordinating Council (BARCC).

Consequently, in the spirit of Article 255 of the 1992 constitution and Article 186 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936 as Amended), the Bono Regional Co-ordinating Council (BRCC) is a new entity and thus replaces the BARCC. Because of this, it became necessary to inaugurate the BRCC to enable it to perform its functions accordingly.[8]

Administrative divisions

The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 12 MMDA's (made up of 0 Metropolitan, 5 Municipal and 7 Ordinary Assemblies).[9] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The current list is as follows:

Map of Bono Region Districts
Districts of the Bono Region[10]
# MMDA Name Capital MMDA Type Member of Parliament Party
1 Banda Banda Ahenkro Ordinary Ahmed Ibrahim NDC
2 Berekum East Berekum Municipal Nelson Kyeremeh NPP
3 Berekum West Jinijini Ordinary Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng NPP
4 Dormaa Central Dormaa-Ahenkro Municipal Kwaku Agyeman-Manu NPP
5 Dormaa East Wamfie Ordinary Paul Apreku Twum Barimah NPP
6 Dormaa West Nkrankwanta Ordinary Vincent Oppong Asamoah NDC
7 Jaman North Sampa Ordinary Frederick Yaw Ahenkwah NDC
8 Jaman South New Drobo Municipal Williams Okofo-Dateh NDC
9 Sunyani Sunyani Municipal Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh NPP
10 Sunyani West Odumase Ordinary Ignatius Baffour Awuah NPP
11 Tain Nsawkaw Ordinary Adama Sulemana NDC
12 Wenchi Wenchi Municipal Haruna Seidu NDC

Vegetation and climate

This area's topography is mainly characterized by a low elevation not exceeding 152 metres above sea level. It has moist semi-deciduous forest and the soil is very fertile. The region produces Cash crops like cashew, timber, etc., and food crops such as maize, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, tomatoes, and many others.[6]

Location and size

Bono Region shares a border at the north with the Savannah Region, is bordered on the west by Ghana-Côte d'Ivoire international border, on the east by Bono East, and on the south by Ahafo Region.

It has a population of about 1,208,649 according to Ghana statistical service in 2021 census.[11]

Tourism and parks

  • Bui National Park, which is 1,821-kilometer square and covers part of the Black Volta River, is endowed with several species of antelopes and a variety of birds. It is also known for its hippopotamus population. The tourist can take a cruise on the Black Volta River through the National Park.
  • Bui Dam, located at the base of the Banda Mountains, was built to improve Ghana's energy requirements.[6]
  • Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary, located 10 km southwest of Dormaa Ahenkro, hosts a rare breed of Mona Monkeys. The tourist is welcomed by the presence of these monkeys as you enter their forest-like abode. Bamboo trees form a canopy in the middle of the forest, which serves as a resting ground for visitors. Monkeys can be seen swinging up and down tree branches and peeling bananas left out for them. The visitor gets a chance to see how monkeys carry their babies on the move.[6]

Education

The region prides itself on having public institutions such as:

Religions

Cultural and social life

There are several cultural practices and festivals within this region. Some are:

  • Kwafie is celebrated by the Dormaa, Berekum and Nsoatre people in November, December or January.
  • Munufie by Drobo. They are celebrated to cleanse and feed the stools and gods respectively. It is climaxed with a large bonfire in the palace courtyard. It is believed that the people of Dormaa Ahenkro (Aduana) brought fire to Ghana, hence this legend is symbolically re-enacted.
  • Akwantukese is celebrated by the people of Suma in March.[6]
  • Akyiriwia Festival is celebrated by the people of Atomfourso near Seikwa in the Tain District.[13]

References

  1. ^ "President Akufo-Addo swears in Ministers of Bono and Oti region | GBC Ghana Online". Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. ^ Ghana Statistical Service
  3. ^ "Brong Ahafo to be known as Bono Region". MyJoyonline. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Sunyani: 14-year-old final year JHS student found dead in suspected suicide". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. ^ Boakye, Edna Agnes (19 May 2021). "Let's wait for police investigation into death of 14-year-old final year student – School". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e WhiteOrange. "Brong Ahafo". Ghana Tourism Authority. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Sunyani remains the cleanest city in Ghana despite the challenges – Environmental Health Officer - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  8. ^ Ayibani, Imoro Tebra (29 July 2019). "Ghana: Bono Regional Coordinating Council Inaugurated in Sunyani". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  9. ^ "The Database – GhanaPlaceNames". Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  10. ^ Brong-Ahafo Region. Geohive.
  11. ^ "Ghana Statistical Services". Statistics Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  12. ^ "REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE CREATION OF NEW REGIONS" presented to His Excellency The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, 26th day of June 2018.
  13. ^ "Ban on noise making and funerals to mark start of Akyiriwia Festival in Bono Region". GhanaWeb. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.