Accra, Jan 10, GNA - The Ministry of Defence on Thursday handed 33 Toyota Pick-Ups to the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance the army's capacity in its joint operations with the Police under operation "CALM LIFE" and other internal activities.

The vehicles worth 700,000 Ghana cedis are fitted with long-range communication equipment to ensure swift and effective communication among patrol teams, enhance quick reinforcement and prompt reaction to situations.

Mr Albert Kan -Dapaah, Minister for Defence who made the presentation said the Armed Forces in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies had critical roles to play to ensure peace and tranquillity, especially as the country approached elections period. He said the support would therefore improve the vehicle state of the Armed Forces to enable them patrol all over the country to perform the mandate.

"I will urge all beneficiaries of these vehicles to continue to apply pragmatic and innovative ideas to surmount any challenges such as robust patrols along the highways, towns and cities to clamp down on armed robbers and other deviants in our society', the Minister added. Lieutenant-General J.B. Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff said the vehicles sprayed in a special military camouflaged colours were to caution all criminals, especially those armed, that the Armed Forces were poised for swift and decisive actions against their vices. He commended the Ministry for the support and pledged to make good use of the vehicles.

Lt Gen. Danquah urged Ghanaians to ensure a secured and a peaceful environment for a successful Ghana 2008 and during elections in December. " I am passionately appealing to all Ghanaians to volunteer timely and accurate information on criminal activities to the security services to enhance our collective fight against crime timely and decisively", he added.