The Bono Region entered 2025 with optimism, driven by development ambitions, cultural pride and social interventions aimed at improving livelihoods.
With an estimated population of 1.2 million, per the 2021 Population and Housing Census, the region is well-known for its active involvement in agriculture and agribusinesses and vibrant in political, economic and cultural activity.
As the year unfolded, progress walked hand-in-hand with grief and pain.
From high-profile deaths, violence, chieftaincy clashes, to highway robberies, 2025 became a year that tested the resilience of communities.
As infrastructure projects, cultural celebrations and social interventions offered hope, joy and progress, tragic deaths, rising insecurity and criminal activities cast a long shadow over the region, stirring fear and grief among residents.
Undoubtedly, 2025 was a period marked by notable development strides alongside disturbing incidents that captured national attention, which sparked public interest and discussions.
Pooley’s death
The incident happened during a Ghana Premier League match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC, drawing nationwide attention to security at football venues.
The case took a dramatic turn, with the arrest of Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, a former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, former Sunyani West Member of Parliament (MP) and President of Nsoatreman FC.
Charged with abetment to commit murder, Baffour-Awuah was granted bail of GH₵500,000, with three sureties.
Helicopter crash
August 6 brought another wave of grief in the region, following a military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people on a national assignment.
Among them was Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, an old student of St James Seminary and Senior High School at Abesim near Sunyani.
A requiem mass organised by the St James Old Boys Association (JOBA) on August 13, 2025, became an emotional gathering, as students, friends and dignitaries mourned the late Squadron Leader Anala, who completed the school in 2007.
The crash also claimed the lives of the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; NDC Vice-Chairman Samuel Sarpong; NADMO Deputy Coordinator, Samuel Aboagye; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah.
Violent crime
Also, several murder cases cast a dark shadow over communities in 2025.
In February, the body of a young woman was retrieved from a septic tank at Sunyani Magazine, with police suspecting her boyfriend in the crime.
Also in November, a 27-year-old pregnant woman, Haggar Nyorkpatey, was found murdered on her farm at Yaw Wusukrom near Nkrankwanta.
Illegal mining-related violence also claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy at Amasu in the Dormaa East District, while two timber concession guards were killed in an attack by suspected illegal chainsaw operators at Mpamso Forest near Nsuhia.
These incidents reignited public calls for improved security, stronger law enforcement and community vigilance.
Highway robberies
For much of the year, armed robberies along major highways, particularly the Sunyani–Ntotroso, Sunyani–Berekum and Sunyani–Wenchi roads, became a major concern.
A June 13 robbery attack on the Sunyani–Ntotroso road resulted in the death of a driver and injuries to passengers.
In response, the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) intensified patrols, established additional checkpoints and deployed joint police-military teams.
These interventions gradually reduced the frequency of attacks and restored some confidence among road users.
Chieftaincy tensions
Chieftaincy disputes resurfaced in October when clashes at Sampa in the Jaman North District left eight police officers injured.
The violence between two rival factions, Sammordua and Samgba Gyafla, disrupted economic activities and heightened tension.
Similarly, the succession dispute in the Sunyani Traditional Area took a dramatic turn with the suspension of the Queenmother, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II, indefinitely.
Earlier in July, the region hosted the Amnesty International Ghana Annual General Meeting at Fiapre.
Participants used the platform to urge the government to act on conflicts across the country, particularly the Bawku crisis, calling for dialogue, transparency and the protection of civilians.
Culture, excellence
Despite the challenges, the region experienced moments of pride and celebration.
On September 6, the Bono/Ahafo Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) honoured outstanding media practitioners, where the Bono Regional Correspondent of Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Biiya Mukusah Ali, emerged as the Overall Best Journalist for 2024, winning four awards.
Traditional culture also took centre stage on November 1, during the Suma Munufie Yam Festival at Suma-Ahenkro, where chiefs and residents showcased rich heritage through music, dance and traditional rites.
The festival also served as a fundraising platform to support the establishment of a satellite campus of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
Again, on August 9, the chiefs and people in the Bono and the Bono East regions claimed the “Meko Bono” (I will go to Bono) festival at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality.
The festival was instituted by some youth in the two regions in 2022 to tell the rich history of the Bonos.
Additionally, the festival is intended to showcase the rich culture and project the economic and tourism potentials in the region in a bid to attract investors.
Also, on November 13, the Lordina Foundation, in partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission, organised a large-scale medical outreach in Sunyani, offering free health screening and education, particularly targeting HIV prevention among the youth.
On December 21, development took a major boost when President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod for several road projects across the Bono and Ahafo regions.
The sod cutting ceremony, held in Sunyani, included the Sunyani Outer Ring Road and key inter-district highways expected to enhance trade, mobility and economic growth.
Before the ceremony, in May, President Mahama visited the region to thank chiefs and residents for their overwhelming support of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 elections, which brought the party to power.
At the “Thank You” event in Sunyani, the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow due process to take its course in cases being investigated by state agencies.
He also called on the government to investigate and prosecute former officials accused of mismanaging or embezzling public funds.
Writer’s email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh