Michel Camp, Jan. 15, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, out-going Eastern Regional Minister, has urged the media to be professional when reporting on activities of the security agencies and avoid reportage that could hinder their efforts to serve the nation. He said once the country showed the needed appreciation to the efforts of the security agencies they would always be ready to put their lives on the line for the good of the nation.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was reacting to some negative media reports on the security agencies that recently helped to drive out illegal miners at Kyebi to help prevent the pollution of the Birim River during the 93WASSA" celebrations of the First Infantry Battalion at Michel Camp. On behalf of the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo congratulated the battalion for their support in helping to save the Birim River from the operations of illegal miners at Kyebi. Their efforts also resulted in the reduction of illegal timber activities in the Eastern Region and the prevention of over-weight vehicles on the Adomi Bridge.

He expressed the hope that the battalion would give the same level of support to his successor in the region. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo assured members of the battalion of the readiness of government to provide the security agencies with their needed infrastructur= e and logistic to enhance their operations. Lieutenant Colonel Barimah Braku Owusu, Commanding Officer of the Firs= t Infantry Battalion, said during the year under review, the unit partnered the police to check armed robbery, encroachment on government lands and offered support to ensure a peaceful District Level and Unit Committee elections in the country. He said externally the unit contributed troops to support internationa= l operations in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and Chad. Lt. Col. Owusu said the Unit chalked great successes in all activities it undertook and congratulated the officers, men and women of the Unit for their efforts.

He observed that despite the success achieved, armed robbery, illegal miners and chainsaw operators seemed to have adopted new tactics to outwit the security agencies. Lt. Col. Owusu said the security men would therefore need to train constantly to review their tactics and be proactive instead of reacting to situations. He said in that direction, his unit together with the police and other security agencies had planned to train to harmonize their operations to be able to face the new security challenges of their time.