Atebubu hosts Meko Bono 2026 in celebration of heritage, unity and development of Bonoman

The Chiefs and people of the Bono regions have marked the fifth anniversary of the annual Meko Bono Homecoming & Cultural Festival in Atebubu in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipality of the Bono East Region.

The ceremonial durbar to climax the event on Saturday, August 24, 2026, at the Unity Grounds in Atebubu brought together traditional rulers, prominent government officials led by Her Excellency Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, cultural groups, dignitaries, sons and daughters of Bonoman, and elated participants from across the country and beyond.

The 2026 edition of the annual festival, under the theme “Honouring Our Roots, Shaping Our Future through Active Participation”, served as a reminder to Bonoman that the celebration of their rich heritage, culture, and identity must be done perpetually through united, active participation, with development as the goal.

Eight days of culture, homecoming, and participation

Over eight days, Atebubu was transformed into a vibrant hub of Bono culture, spirituality, entertainment, and community engagement.

The event featured Bono Nkomo, a strategic dialogue focused on the progress of Bonoman, alongside a health screening exercise.

A lively indigenous foods cooking contest and a prestigious Bono Hemaa Pageant, which was led by esteemed queen mothers: Nana Afia Donyina II (Atebubumanhemaa), Nana Akosua Asor Duah Brayie (Sunyanimanhemaa), Ohemaa Pokua Afoa Dankoto II (Wenchimanhemaa), Nana Yaa Adansi Puduo II (Odumase No. 1 Manhemaa), Nana Abena Frimpomaa Kese (Abease Manhemaa), and Nana Yeboah Pene II (Chiraahemaa), featured in the week-long celebration.

The celebration of culture was also infused with contemporary entertainment, featuring a high-energy street carnival, the "Lake Experience", a fun boat trip in Yeji and a star-studded artistes' night.

From ancestral traditions and indigenous cuisine to preventive healthcare, tourism, music, and youth participation, the festival provided different generations with opportunities to reconnect with their heritage while building new relationships. These activities attracted strong public participation and reflected the diversity that Meko Bono seeks to promote.

Ohempon calls for unity, development, and active participation

In his welcome and opening remarks at the durbar, HRM Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, Atebubumanhene, host of the 2026 edition of the festival and Chairman of the Meko Bono Advisory Board, reminded the gathering that Meko Bono was conceived not merely as another festival, but as a platform through which the Bono people could reconnect with their common ancestry and culture and turn that renewed sense of identity into a force for collective development.

“Meko Bono seeks to bring our people together, reconnect with our roots, celebrate our heritage, and, most importantly, use that unity to advance the development of our communities,” he said.

Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah challenged the different generations of Bonoman to see the festival from a broader perspective because the annual Meko Bono Homecoming and Cultural Festival remains a rallying point for Bonoman’s commitment to unity and development through active participation.

“The elderly should take pride in seeing the stories and vision of the ancestors preserved; the youth should understand that progress towards a brighter future must remain informed by roots; and leaders must channel the energies of both young and old into building a dignified future for Bonoman, Ghana, and Africa.”

Collective calls for unity and protection of Bono heritage

Key among the issues highlighted by other traditional leaders who spoke was the urgent need for a united Bono front to strengthen their voice in shaping national issues.

The Chairman of the durbar, HRM Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodu Ampem II, Nsawkawmanhene, stressed the importance of maintaining unity among the Bono people and urged Nananom and citizens alike to strengthen the bonds that have historically connected the various Bono states and communities.

“At the heart of the festival are heritage, progress, and collective responsibility. The festival, therefore, should continue to provide a common platform where differences can be set aside and the shared interests of Bonoman placed above individual and sectional considerations,” he said.

Calling on the youth of Bono, he emphasised the value of their participation in the development journey.

“The future of our land will not be built by heritage alone, but by discipline, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship. Embrace technology without abandoning culture; pursue global excellence without losing your local identity; and transform your talents into opportunities that create jobs and prosperity,” he said.

On his part, HRM Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Krachiwura, in his goodwill message, drew the gathering's attention to the demand for active participation within the theme of Meko Bono 2026.

He called on the chiefs present to strengthen their bonds across traditional boundaries and work together to promote peace, development, and the preservation of the dignity of the chieftaincy institution.

“No traditional area can rise and prosper in isolation. We need one another, and we need dependable friends with whom we can stand in both good and difficult times. If our ancestors could stand together in times of war, surely we, their descendants, should stand together in these times of peace to promote development, preserve our cultures, and improve the welfare of our people,” he urged.

Vice President lauds Meko Bono initiative

Her Excellency Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, whose presence reflected the national significance of the festival, commended the people of Bonoman and the organisers for sustaining a festival deeply rooted in culture, identity, and community participation.

She emphasised that development can thrive only in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation and therefore urged traditional leaders, political actors, the youth, and all citizens to protect the peace enjoyed within their communities and work collectively towards national development.

She further reaffirmed the government's commitment to policies and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Ghanaians, assuring the gathering that Bonoman will continue to receive its fair share of national development.

Development appeal for job creation

A major feature of the grand durbar was the fundraising and development appeal, led by HRM Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, Dormaahene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II drew attention to the development dimension of Meko Bono, which is hinged on a philosophy of development through collective effort instead of waiting for outside assistance, stressing that the success of the festival should ultimately be reflected in tangible improvements in the lives of the Bono people.

Central to his appeal was the construction and equipping of a maize processing plant at Odumase No. 1, funded through the Meko Bono initiative. He called on individuals, businesses, traditional leaders, institutions, and Bono citizens in the diaspora to contribute financially towards such initiatives.