The Bredi Nkyifie Yam Festival has been marked in the Bassa Traditional Area of the Bono East Region, celebrating 15 years of leadership, legacy and unity under the Paramount Chief, Nana Owusu Sakyi III.
The festival, a sacred celebration of harvest, gratitude and cultural identity, brought together traditional leaders, government officials and residents to reflect on development challenges and opportunities within the area.
Speaking at the event, Nana Owusu Sakyi III, who also serves as President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, described the milestone as significant and used the occasion to appeal to the Government of Ghana to address critical development needs to improve the livelihoods of the people of Bassa.
The Paramount Chief called for the establishment of a modern market in the traditional area, noting that a well-structured market would boost local commerce, create employment, support farmers and traders, and strengthen the local economy.
He also appealed for the upgrade of the existing Bassa health clinic to a polyclinic, citing limited access to quality healthcare in the area. According to him, improving health facilities would help reduce preventable diseases, maternal and child mortality, and the need for residents to travel long distances to seek medical care.
On education, Nana Owusu Sakyi III expressed concern about what he described as declining education standards in parts of the eastern Bono East Region.
He called on government to invest in human capital and requested the establishment of a tertiary institution—such as a College of Nursing or a College of Education in the Bassa Traditional Area.
He said such institutions would expand access to higher education while training skilled professionals to support national development.
The celebration was attended by several government officials, including the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia; the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim; the Bono East Regional Minister, Mr. Francis Owusu Antwi; and Municipal and District Chief Executives from the eastern part of the region.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Asiedu Nketia emphasised the role of chiefs as custodians of culture, guarantors of peace and key partners in grassroots development.
He said the NDC government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, would continue to strengthen collaboration between traditional authorities and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to accelerate local development.
Responding to the appeals, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim assured the Paramount Chief and people of Bassa that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate agencies for consideration and support.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for community-led development initiatives.
The minister stressed that government alone cannot deliver the transformation communities seek, and called on traditional leaders, political authorities, religious bodies, women, youth and residents of the Bassa Traditional Area to work together in peace, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
He commended the proposed construction of a health centre for Kwame Duro and Bassa Senior High School, describing it as a timely initiative that addresses a critical need for quality healthcare for students, staff and surrounding communities.
He added that community-driven efforts in health and education reinforce participatory development.
The Bono East Regional Minister, Mr. Francis Owusu Antwi, expressed appreciation to the national delegation led by Mr. Asiedu Nketia and used the occasion to highlight chieftaincy disputes in the region.
He disclosed that about 42 chieftaincy cases remain pending before traditional and law courts, and appealed to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for support in resolving them.
The festival ended with renewed calls for unity, peace and cooperation as stakeholders pledged to work together to advance development in the Bassa Traditional Area.
Source: www.kumasimail.com / Oheneba Kesse Brempong-Asare
