Security personnel urged to work in unity

Page14: May 8, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia, Aflao.
THE Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, has called on personnel of the various security agencies at the country’s borders to work in unity to protect the country’s integrity.
He said it served no purpose when the personnel fought among themselves over petty issues, to the detriment of the national interest.
Nana Boahen made the call when he visited the Aflao Border to acquaint himself with operations of the security personnel there on Tuesday.
He said the need for them to work in unity had become more paramount as this year’s elections drew nearer.
He said Ghana needed peace for Election 2008 and it was important that the security personnel at the borders lived up to expectation to protect the integrity of the country and the elections.
Nana Boahen said it was their responsibility to prevent troublemakers from coming into the country either to register during the opening of the voters register or vote during the elections.
“Ghana belongs to all of us. Let us defend the integrity of the country,” he added.
The minister urged the personnel to be law abiding and show honesty in the discharge of their duties, adding that the government appreciated the services they were rendering to the country.
An Assistant Commissioner of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in charge of the Aflao Border, Mr Emmanuel Impraim, said although the various agencies knew of their core functions, they had been working hand in hand.
He said they collaborated to deal with security threats and indicated that during the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, the Aflao Border did not record any incident as a result of the collaboration among the security agencies.
Mr Impraim said the security agencies were determined not to compromise on security issues.
The Assistant Director of Immigration, Mr Emmanuel Amoako Yirenkyi, said the agencies had extended the collaboration to their Togolese counterparts who were also pleased with the development.
“We co-operate and work as a team,” he added.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ben Dery, said a major problem facing the security agencies at the border posts was the absence of a patrol vehicle.
He, therefore, called on the minister to intervene on their behalf so that a vehicle could be provided to patrol the borders.