Lieutenant General Peter Augustine Blay, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has given assurance of the readiness of the security agencies to protect peace before, during and after the December 7 polls.

He said the security agencies would remain alert and professional in the performance of their duties to provide security for all Ghanaians.

Lt. Gen. Blay was addressing personnel of the security agencies in Kumasi after their joint simulation exercise, to demonstrate their preparedness to tackle election-related security challenges.

Officers and men drawn from the military, the police, Customs, Excise and Preventive Services, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service and the Ghana National Fire Service took part in the event.

It was meant to test their endurance and harmonize their operations, to ensure that Ghanaians went to the polls free from fear, intimidation and violence.

The exercise dubbed “Ex-Bridget,” was held at the Fourth Infantry Battalion (4BN) on the theme: “Strengthening our professional orientation to meet the security challenges of tomorrow.”

This comes on the heels of the just ended nationwide biometric voters’ registration in which pockets of violence were reported across the nation.

Lt. Gen. Blay said those who would cause confusion would never be allowed to have their way, and added that the security officers would continue to work together, to maintain law and order, and deal decisively with security threats.

The CDS said he was satisfied with the unity among the security services and said this would be sustained.

Brigadier General Richard Opoku Adusei, General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, hailed the collaborative efforts of the military and the police to bring down crime, particularly robbery and the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the region.

He asked the security agencies to remain focused and vigilant, and called for early warning systems to enable them deal decisively with any disturbances.**