Denu, Jan. 11, GNA- Mr Linus Koffie, Ketu District Chief Executive (DCE) on Saturday told Security Agencies at the Aflao border to keep the area tight against criminals who take advantage of the "porous" nature of the frontier.

He was addressing an end of year get-together organised by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for heads of other security Agencies at the border.

They included the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Police, Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Military Detachments. Mr Linus Koffie observed that Aflao area has become a "sanctuary for criminals who find the going too hot in Accra, Kumasi and other major towns".

He commended the security agencies for their hard work and asked them to brace up for greater challenges in the year to maintain Ghana as a peaceful country especially during the elections. Mr Kofie asked the agencies to come together to enhance their various mandates.

Miss Elizabeth Baffoe, Comptroller in-Charge of GIS at the border said the Aflao border was of strategic political and economic importance on the Trans West African corridor requiring effective measures to check unscrupulous persons from entering the country.

She said residents along the border continue to assist illegal immigrants to use un-approved routes to enter the country.

Miss Baffoe said in this era of terrorism and cross-border crime, it was important to identify all persons crossing the frontier for effective control of criminals, adding, "illegal entry is on the rise as indicated by several arrests during security operations".

Mr Alex Okunor, Assistant Commissioner in-Charge of the Aflao Sector of CEPS said it is important that security agencies re-dedicated themselves particularly in this election year.

In a goodwill message read on her behalf, Miss Elizabeth Adjei, Director of GIS said plans are advanced to solve the accommodation problems of staff at Aflao and also acquire vehicles for patrol duties. Three officers, including Inspector Divine Ocansey, Muhammed Suraj, Assistant Controller Grade one and Samuel Basinpale, Assistant Superintendent, were given awards for their hard work last year.