Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - The Minister of the Interior, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman returned home last night from Pretoria at the head of a high powered delegation which explored further cooperation with South Africa.

Others on the delegation were Nana Owusu-Nsiah, Inspector General of Police, Mr William Kodjo Asiedu, Acting Director-General of Prisons and top officials of the Ministry of the Interior.

Speaking on arrival, Mr Owusu-Agyeman said safety and security formed the bedrock of democracy, development and that the government was exploring all possibilities to equip and resource the security agencies to be able to perform their jobs more professionally.

He said during the visit Ghana and South Africa discussed assistance to the Police and the Prisons Service in the areas of training, equipment, sharing of intelligence and structural development.

The Minister said the delegation also looked at the South African Correctional Institute and considered aspects of the institute, which Ghana could establish as well.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said South Africa had agreed to assist the Police Service in crime detection, combat and intelligence.

Mr Thomas Broni, Deputy Minister of Interior, met the Minister on arrival.