Security agencies urged to collaborate with the public

Tamale, Jan 7, GNA- Mr Charles Bintim, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, has called on the security agencies to collaborate with the public to fight crime and other problems in the region. He said the region was beset with problems including armed robbery, civil strive and chieftaincy disputes and that it was prudent for the security agencies to collaborate effectively with the citizenry to address the problems.

Mr. Bintim said this on Tuesday at a get-together for the Northern Regional staff of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Tamale. Heads of the security agencies, as well as heads of some departments and NGOs operating in the region attended the function. The Deputy Minister commended the GIS staff for the hard work and the success they chalked last year and urged them to maintain the standard for the years ahead.

Mr. Samuel David Bervell Mensah, the Regional Director of the GIS, said the region had been able to bring down considerably the duration for the processing of passports and renewal of resident permits. Mr Mensah said the major challenge facing the Service was the constant attacks of personnel by armed robbers and called for collective efforts of the security agencies and the cooperation of the public to address the problem.

He said efforts were being made to open district offices of the Service at Yendi, Damongo and Bunkpurugu. 7 Jan 04