Tamale, March 11, GNA - The Northern Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Peter Baba has expressed concern about political interference in the work of the Ghana Police service in the region. He said as soon as someone was arrested in connection with an offence, calls from various politicians come from every angle to influence the police to release the person.

Supt. Baba made this known at a day's stakeholders workshop in Tamale on Wednesday organised by Ghana Network for Peace-building (GHANEP), aimed at strengthening Police- Public relations in averting violence. The workshop was part of GHANEP's Ghana Alert Programme funded by the Department for International Development and implemented by Christian Aid. Supt. Baba said the perception about some people that they were above the law because their party was in power was inimical to peace in the region.

He said despite these challenges, the police would continue to carry out their duties professionally without bias to promote peace and order in the region.

Supt. Baba urged civil society groups and individuals to collaborate to bring lasting peace to the area.

Mr. Justin Bayor, National Network Co-ordinator of GHANEP said early warning signals was one of the best non-violent conflict prevention methods. He said GHANEP has surveillance and focal persons in six regions in the country, who pick signals of violence and alert the security agencies to act to pre-empt them.

Mr. Bayor said GHANEP's activities would soon extend to the Western Region to help prevent any activity unfavourable to the oil and gas find. The stakeholders advocated a joint collaborative programme with the media, the security agencies and civil society to promote peace in the country.