Bono Twi project outdoored in Sunyani

The “Bono Twi Project" which is to ensure recognition, documentation and utilization of the Bono language on both national and international platforms, has been officially launched at a colorful ceremony in Sunyani.

The project entails the documentation, preservation, promotion, writing and the use of the Bono language as well as its adoption as a local language in the curriculum for schools in Ghana.

The Bonoman Institute, a Sunyani-based policy think-tank with the mission of ensuring holistic development of the Bono and Bono East Regions and the peoples through their unique identity, resources, tourism and many others, is spearheading the project, which further aims at sustaining the Bono Twi, which is an essential part of the Bono cultural heritage.

The official launch, which was on the theme “Language: Our Identity, Culture and Way of Life”, was attended by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, traditional authorities, representatives of the Bureau of Ghana Languages, the Bible Society of Ghana, corporate organizations, students, the Bono community in the Diaspora and the public.

Mr. Kofi Okofo Dartey, the Dean of the Bonoman Institute, told the gathering that the Bono Twi project will go a long way to promote the study of the Bono Twi - spoken and written - for academic pursuit and for the development of Bonoman and the country at large.

Cultural heritage
Mr. Okofo Dartey said the project would further help promote cultural values of the Bono people, their heritage, lineage, history, natural resources, tourism and harness their potentials for the economic development of the region and Ghana at large.

Other perspectives of the project, he added, are the preservation, sustainable and economic exploitation of natural resources, inclusiveness of national resource distribution, economic empowerment and growth, social infrastructural improvement, unity, peace and stability in the Bono region, he added.

Mr. Okofo Dartey stated despite all endowments and potential in the region, the socio-economic development and growth of Bonoman have been less than desired.

He noted there were limited social and economic infrastructure, high illiteracy and youth unemployment, low economic activities and incomes, communal conflict, disunity and weak influence over national policy dialogue and framework.

Identity
Nana Okokyeredom Sakyi Arko II, the Vice-President, Bono Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the Drobo Traditional Area, who represented the Dormaahene, observed that a person’s identity is lost when that person loses his or her language.

Nana Arko II further advised parents and students to embrace the project and sustain it for the benefit of both them and the future generation.

Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi the President of Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of Sunyani Diocese stated: "Let's appreciate who we are and where we come from."

He said the unique Bono Twi is equally important as other languages studied and written in schools and urged the people to be proud of their language and speak it everywhere to improve their identity.