The government has commended the Security Agencies in the former conflict area of the Northern Region for maintaining peace there under challenging conditions.

The peace-keeping exercise, code-named "Operation Gong- Gong" is a combined operation of the police and military in the eastern corridor of the region which was the flashpoint of the 1994 and 1995 ethnic conflicts.

The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, expressed the government's appreciation for their efforts despite "the horrible conditions under which they operate" and gave the assurance that the government would soon work out a package to improve their conditions.

Speaking at a Durbar of Chiefs and people of Wulensi in the Nanumba District, the Vice President identified some of the problems confronting the security personnel as insufficient food and transport.

The Chief of Wulensi, Naa Salifu Wumbei appealed to the government to split the Nanumba District into Nanumba East with Bimbilla as capital and Nanumba West with Wulensi as capital in view of the increase in population as showed by the recent census.

The chief also appealed to the Ghana Telecom to extend telephone facilities to the area.