The Eastern Regional Chapter of the Bimoba-Gurma Association has marked its fifth annual cultural renaissance festival in Koforidua, celebrating unity, heritage and peacebuilding.
The celebration was under the theme: “Our Common Heritage: Promoting Sustainable Peace for Nation Building.”
The event brought together members from Akosombo, Akuse, Agomeda, Asamankese, Kade, Nkawkaw, and Bimoba-Gurma chiefs from the Greater Accra Region.
Chiefs from other ethnic groups, including Dagomba, Chokosi, Mamprusi, Frafra, and Basaare, also attended.
The Association, which operates under the motto “Motauk nan Kpaatu” meaning “Unity and Progress”, used the festival to reaffirm its commitment to cultural preservation and community development.
Traditional dances such as Siak and Kontaar were performed, while guests were served indigenous dishes, including tuozafi and sokora with ademe and groundnut soup, lomojin (millet drink), and sobolo.
Chief Yussif Osumanu, Chairman of the Bimoba-Gurma Council of Chiefs in the Eastern Region, urged members to rally behind the ethnic group and strengthen unity.
“The Bimoba-Gurma tribe is the sixth most populous ethnic group in Ghana,” he said. “Unity is a prerequisite for development. It brings us together to combine our ideas, skills, and resources to address problems on a larger scale.”
He noted that the Council meets quarterly to discuss matters affecting members, including youth education and women’s livelihoods. “We are organised and committed to supporting our people through dialogue and action,” he added.
Dr. Abed L. Bandim, Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu Constituency in the North East Region, emphasised the importance of peace in fostering development.
“Peace is paramount in every situation to foster social development,” he said.
He cited chieftaincy disputes in his constituency as a major challenge, noting that they had led to displacement, school closures, and destruction of property.
“There is an ongoing dialogue to make the situation manageable. Without peace, development cannot thrive,” he added.
Dr. Bandim, who also chairs the Parliamentary Select Committee on Information and Communication, shared his commitment to education.
He revealed that in 2022, he awarded scholarships to 72 students using about 70 percent of his Common Fund.
This year, he said, plans were far advanced to complete the establishment of a College of Education in Nakpanduri by the end of the year, while preparations were also underway to open a Nursing Training School in Bunkpurugu.
Mrs. Dinah Adu-Owusu, outgoing Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, highlighted the role of local cuisine in promoting cultural tourism.
“Promoting Ghana’s local delicacies allows tourists to access the cultural and historical heritage of the destination through tasting and experiencing foods,” she said.
She encouraged hotel and restaurant operators to include Ghanaian dishes on their menus to enhance the tourism experience and preserve culinary traditions.
The festival was closed with renewed calls for unity, cultural pride, and collaborative development, as participants pledged to continue using culture as a tool for peacebuilding and social transformation.
GNA
