After a three-day congress at the Quality Inn, Elmhurst, (Chicago), IL, the BONABOTO-North America was formed on Saturday June 15, 2008. BONABOTO is an acronym representing the first two letters of the major towns –Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo - in the Gurune (Frafra) -speaking area of the Upper East Region of Ghana. BONABOTO brings together not only indigenes but also all people who share the objectives of the union, i.e. collectively discuss and find solutions to development challenges affecting the area and to foster unity.

The successful congress capped several years of patient and persistent effort spearheaded by Dr. Joseph Akamah, a cardiologist at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. In his convener’s address, Dr. Akamah implored participants to always remember that they had a duty to help develop the BONABOTO area while striving to remain good ambassadors of Ghana and being models of excellence in whatever area of endeavor they found themselves. He said that no sacrifice was too big or too small to ensure that the BONABOTO area caught up with the rest of the Ghana in terms of socio-economic development.

The chairman for the historic occasion, Dr. Gabriel Ayine, reminded participants that the BONABOTO area was the poorest area in the poorest region in Ghana and that all had a mandate to help find solutions to the problems confronting the area. He asserted that BONABOTO had limitless opportunities to help rid the area of its development challenges if a collective approach was adopted.

Mr. Chris Aviah, CEO of HAIVA (Ghana) Ltd, in his keynote address observed that for poverty and other socio-economic challenges to be uprooted, there was the need to provide sustainable opportunities for the people. He indicated that merely sending money to relatives was not an enduring solution to the problems, more so because it could create dependency. He admonished, “We must position ourselves to influence and reshape government policies towards the development of Northern Ghana. We have to be smart enough NOT to align ourselves with any one political party... For every dollar we spend on our political pursuits, we must accept no less than ten-fold in developmental returns for our people.”

The national chairman of BONABOTO-Ghana, Ing. Matthew Adombire, who flew in from Ghana, reiterated the non-partisan character of BONABOTO and pointed to the successes of the mother organization as: establishing the BONABOTO Educational Assistance Fund, drawing up a 3-year program of poverty reduction for the BONABOTO area, fighting for the release of feeding grants for second cycle schools, assistance to distressed families, and connecting job-seekers with employment avenues. He also acknowledged the untiring role of Dr. Joseph Akamah in helping form the North America branch and sponsoring the association’s website, www.bonaboto.com.

The congress broke into six (6) workshops to deliberate on how to strengthen organization, empower women, tackling the socio-economic challenges facing the BONABOTO area, microfinance, education, and children’s issues.

Following elections for substantive officers to manage affairs for the next two years, the following were elected and sworn into office by Ing. Matthew Adombire, national chairman of BONABOTO-Ghana:

• Chairman - Dr. Gabriel Ayine

• Vice Chairman - Mr. Chris Aviah

• Secretary - Martha Mbah-Enin

• Organizing Secretary - Jeff Zanlerigu

• Treasurer – Patricia Azure-Parker

• Vice Treasurer – Francis Maltiby

• Public Affairs Officer – Pastor Nat Awuni

The following were also elected to represent their states of residence in the USA:

• California - Patrick Adongo

• New York/New Jersey – Francis Abanga

• Texas – Erasmus Nyaaba

• Illinois – Kasim Abubakari

• Alabama – Dr. Michael Awaah • Ohio – Lazarus Aduah • Georgia – Lawrence Nyaaba • Maryland – Dr. Rex Babila • Canada – Mrs. Rose Koskamp

Committees were also formed to help members obtain advice and information on health, small business establishment, education and legal matters.

Participants ended the congress with a resolution to dedicate all their energy, resources and time to ensure that BONABOTO-North America becomes a relevant player in the socio-economic development of the BONABOTO area and Ghana. Participants expressed their gratitude to the Chicago branch of BONABOTO who single-handedly bore the cost of hosting the Congress. It was resolved, in a tribute to Chicago, that in recognition of the selflessness and commitment of its members, Chicago host next years’ congress. Chicago reciprocated the honor by agreeing to host next year’s congress.