Boadua, (E/R), April 24, GNA - Sheik Zurkanine Yusif, the founder and leader of the West Africa International Islamic Foundation, has made a passionate appeal to all factions engaged in conflicts in the country to have a change of heart and give peace a chance.

He observed that conflicts bring no benefits to anyone, since in the end it is only suffering and pain that are inflicted on the people. Speaking to the press at Boadua near Akwatia, the spiritual leader said he was particularly saddened by the violence and chaos at Bawku and Yendi. He said those engaged in the conflicts should learn to forget the past and live in peace, as brothers and sisters of the same family. Sheik Yusif prayed to God to touch the hearts of all trouble makers to lay down their arms and learn to live in peace and unity.

He said violence bred more violence, which does not allow for progress. The spiritual leader appealed to the youth, who were mainly at the forefront of such conflicts, especially those in the Northern sector of the country, to realize that, the situation there was hampering development. He explained that funds that could go into improving the lives of the people were rather going into peace keeping, adding that, those areas stood to lose greatly, since no investor would invest in conflict areas. 24 April 10