A thanksgiving visit by the Lobi-Brifo community to the Jakpa Palace on Friday, 12 December ended abruptly after the Yagbonwura, Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, declined to accept their gesture, citing a lack of proper briefing from the Bole Traditional Council.
The Lobi-Brifo leadership, led by the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, had visited the palace to express appreciation to the King and his chiefs for allowing them to bury their dead and for reaffirming their freedom to live and conduct business peacefully in Gonjaland following recent violent disturbances in Gbiniyiri.
The community had earlier complied with all customary directives issued by the Yagbonwura, including the presentation of pacification items required to cleanse the land after the clashes that claimed several lives. Their latest visit was intended to formally close the reconciliation process with a message of gratitude.
However, the Yagbonwura halted the thanksgiving proceedings moments after the delegation arrived.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of any chief from the Bole Traditional Area accompanying the Lobi-Brifo group, stressing that the proper traditional protocols had not been followed.
According to the King, he had not yet received a formal briefing from the Bolewura and his chiefs after handing over the pacification items to them for traditional processing.
He noted that until he is fully informed about the progress and completion of the rituals, he cannot accept any formal expression of gratitude from the Lobi-Brifos.
The Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe requested permission for the delegation to withdraw and pledged to return at a later date with the full representation required by custom, including chiefs from the Bole Traditional Area.
The Yagbonwura granted the request, emphasizing that while he remains committed to peace and the reintegration of the Lobi-Brifo community, traditional protocols must be respected to maintain order and accountability within the traditional governance system.
The Thanksgiving visit is expected to be rescheduled once the necessary briefings have been provided and the appropriate chiefs accompany the Lobi-Brifo leadership to the palace.
The incident underscores the importance of traditional procedures in maintaining harmony and ensuring that reconciliation efforts following the Gbiniyiri conflict are carried out in a manner consistent with established customs.
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