Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has directed security agencies to deal harshly with trouble makers, as the country prepares for the November 7 polls.

He said government was ready to ensure that peaceful environment is created for the general election, and asked security agencies to stay ahead of all miscreants seeking to foment trouble.

Mr Adjei said this when he inaugurated the Brong-Ahafo Regional Security Electoral Taskforce in Sunyani.

The 12-member taskforce is made up of representatives from the Police, Customs, Immigration, Prisons, Fire Service and the Military as well as the Electoral Commission and the National Bureau Investigation.

Mr Adjei said it is the core mandate of security agencies to protect Ghanaians and property and charged them to discharge their duties in a more professional manner.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Maxwell Atingane, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, said the taskforce is mandated to identify and address issues that threatened the conduct of a peaceful election.

He said the taskforce would also identify emerging political hotspots to ensure that security in such areas is strengthened.

DCOP Atingane appealed to the media to be circumspect in the coverage of the general election and avoid sensationalism and embellishment of stories that could threaten national security.