The Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, who also serves as Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, has appealed to traditional rulers to respect and uphold their distinct roles to ensure peaceful coexistence among chiefs, landowners, settlers, and other community members.

Speaking at the 2025 Vagla Youth Congress in Bole, the MP stressed that peace can only be sustained when individuals and groups within a community understand and respect their responsibilities without encroaching on the roles of others.

“Everyone in the community has a role to play. No one should interfere in another person’s role or attempt to teach others what to do,” he stated.

Mr. Sulemana commended the speakers at the congress for not only highlighting the need for peace but also offering practical solutions to long-standing conflicts.

“They have not only complained about the need for peace, but they have also provided solutions. If you listened to the speech, there is so much wisdom in it. They have told us what to do to bring about peace, and I therefore call on all of us to take these statements seriously,” he said.

He further urged mutual respect among traditional leaders, emphasising that harmony among chiefs would translate into sustained peace in the area.

“We have to identify our various roles in this traditional area and accept them. Let us respect each other. If you are a chief, respect the other chiefs. If we do that, we will continue to have peace in this area,” he added.

The MP also expressed gratitude to the Vagla Youth Association for the critical role it played during the Gbeniyiri conflict, and on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, presented GH¢200,000 to the Association to support its educational fund.

In his address, President of the Vagla Youth Association, Jacob Kubu Ahia, appealed to Vagla communities to take education seriously and cautioned the youth against drug abuse, warning that it could destroy their future.

He also urged residents of the Savannah Region to desist from tribal and land-related conflicts, noting that such disputes undermine productivity and development. He cited the Gbeniyiri conflict as having significantly stalled development within the Bole Traditional Area.

Meanwhile, the Vaglikori of Jintilpe, speaking on behalf of the Vagla chiefs and the chief priest, encouraged the youth to engage in farming and animal rearing, noting that the Bole Traditional Area has vast arable land capable of supporting large-scale agricultural activities.