Tamale, May 14, GNA - Chief Superintendent (Supt.) Mathew Appiah Agyei, Deputy Northern Regional Police Commander, has called on journalists to avoid negative reportage about the region to promote peace and security. He said that even though worse things were happening in other parts of the country, media personnel were modest in their reportage and avoided transmitting negative stories that could derail the development agenda of those places.

Chief Supt. Agyei gave the advice when the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengbe, visited the Regional Police Command in Tamale, to formally introduce himself to the security personnel there. He said that negative reports about the region could scare investors and thwart peace initiatives.

Chief Supt. Agyei gave the assurance that the Police would continue to ensure law and appealed to political leaders in the region to use party structures to solve their internal conflicts. He said the Police in the region could not adequately respond to all conflicts since the area was vast and appealed to the people to seek peace for development.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengbe, Northern Regional Minister said the Northern Regional Coordinating Council was aware of the contribution of the Police in ensuring peace in the area. He said that the government appreciated the role of the security agencies and would address their concerns. During an open forum, the Police appealed for better conditions of service including the provision of vehicles and accommodation to facilitate their work. They also requested for a regional Police training School in for Northern Region saying, "If there is a police training school here anytime there is a problem, we can immediately relly on trainees to help save lives."

The Minister and his entourage also visited the Immigration Service, Customs Excise and Preventive Service and the Prison Service. He asked the personnel to work hard and help the government to achieve its "Better Ghana" agenda. Mr. Sam Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Dasana, Regional Coordinating Director and some National Democratic Congress regional executives also accompanied the Minister.