The Vice President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, has urged Ghanaians to be mindful of utterances with the potential to create disunity and confusion.

He said in the expression of ideas and opinions, social and political commentators must ensure decency is supreme in the selection of words in a polarized political system. 

The chief spoke on behalf of chiefs in the Bono Region at the 2021 Busia Memorial lectures in Sunyani, on Friday, October 1, 2021.

The lecture was organised by the Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development to appreciate and demonstrate commitment to the ideals of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia, the prime minister of the Second Republic of Ghana.

The event, which attracted people from all walks of life, including students, government officials, Members of Parliament, clergy, and traditional leaders, was under the theme, “The Youth in a free enterprise society”.

Speakers, including President J.A. Kuffour, touted the academic achievements, political and developmental ideas of Prof. Busia.

“Nananom would like to appeal to people who go on radio and TV, or through social media, to help promote sanity and not to create tension and enmity in our society by carefully choosing their words”, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, who is also the paramount chief of Drobo, said.

He quizzed, “We must all reflect each day the kind of Ghana we wish to help build. Is it a Ghana of acrimony and hatred or a Ghana of peace and progress?

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to emulate the ideals Prof. Busia stood and lived for, including, humility, true democrat, respect for constitutional order, economic Independence of the nation, passion for rural infrastructural development, and a unique strategy for fighting corruption.

Again, the chief said, “We would also like to encourage the youth to emulate the post tolerant and respectful nature of Prof. Busia and desist from all kinds of violence, intolerance, ignoble, and unpatriotic behaviors”.

 “We also wish to admonish our young men and women to refrain from the "get-rich-quick attitude and rather take advantage of the government's policies and programs to establish their enterprises and dream of becoming giants in businesses and employ others to gain means of livelihood”,

The Drobo chief, however, said free enterprise would not be of any benefit in the absence of a conducive atmosphere to support the enterprises of individuals.

In his address, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi, recounted how young men of opposing political ideas frustrated the movement of Prof. Busia in Wenchi, a situation he maintains persists now but must change.

“I later discovered that it was one of those episodes of breakaway individuals from a political party. That is how politics was being practised then. Even though I thought we had moved several years away from that period, we still have such incidents. I pray that as we learn more about such humble people as Prof. Busia, we will understand that politics can be done in peace.

Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah, said the government has been busy with policies that enhance the skills of the youth to enable them to create jobs and make wealth.

He said, “It is when the youth can create their jobs and provide opportunities for their fellow young people that we can move towards the president’s vision of Ghana beyond Aid which has been held globally”.

John Kumah, who is also the MP for Ejisu, said the youths can create jobs and make wealth by taking advantage of the lesser fair economic system. 

He further said, “Our prime focus is to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth as we strive to create the needed conducive environment for businesses to not only spring up but to thrive as well”. 

He, however, added that the youth must also take advantage of the numerous government interventions to access new markets for their projects.

Wreaths were later laid at the Busia Arch, at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani, by the Vice President of the Bono Regional house of chiefs, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah, and the Busia Institute.

Books about Prof. Busia, such as Axioms of KA Busia, authored by Anane Agyei, a historian, were presented to schools in the region.