Keep up efforts at maintaining peace in Northern Region- Minister

Tamale, Dec 17, GNA- Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Northern Regional Minister has commended security personnel in the Northern Region for their efforts in maintaining relative peace in the area. He observed that but for their efforts ordinary law abiding citizens could not go about their daily activities in an atmosphere of peace but however, reminded them that more needed to be done to secure lasting peace in the region.

Mr. Adam was addressing the annual "WASSA" of the Sixth Infantry Battalion at the Kamina Barracks in Tamale on Friday. The West African Soldiers Social Activity popularly called "WASSA" started in 1821 with the Royal Colonial Corps of the Light Infantry and was celebrated by all West African British colonies made up of the Gambia, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

Mr Adam urged the soldiers to help address the havoc and destruction being caused by alien herdsmen, armed robbery and also help in the maintenance of law and order. He noted with regret that the Tamale metropolis in particular had become one of lawlessness were people abuse the freedom of speech to insult and castigate others on the F.M. without any provocation. The Deputy Minister hoped the increasing cordial relationship, which was now been established between the military, and civilian population would eventually inculcate discipline into the civilians. He urged traditional rulers to continue to lend their support to the security agencies to enable them to ensure and maintain peace in the region.

Lt. Col. William Omane Agyekum, Commanding Officer of the 6 Infantry Battalion said the Unit had performed creditably in the discharge of its duties this year by helping to restore and maintain the relative peace in the region. He said the Unit did this by carrying out exercises such as operation "gongon" and operation "cowleg" and gave the assurance that they would not rest on their oars but continue to monitor the situation on the ground very carefully to forestall any disturbance of the peace. He appealed to the public to provide information to the security agencies about the activities of arm robbers and other trouble fomenters or criminals who might be living in their midst and that such information would be treated confidentially. Lt. Col. Agyekum entreated junior officers to continue to relate well with their senior colleagues so that together they can build the espirit de corps to carry out their duties collectively. He cautioned drivers and motorist to avoid reckless driving and obey traffic regulations and rules to ensure an incident free Christmas and New Year adding, "if you drink don't drive, if you drive don't drink'.