Wa, Jan.4, GNA - Alhaji Issahaque Salia, Upper West Regional Minister, has commended security agencies for maintaining law and order tha= t has enhanced sustainable peace in the communities. He said by dint of hard work, vigilance and professionalism, the security personnel had been able to restore peace in some dispute-prone communities and helped to reduce armed robbery along some major roads linking the Region to Upper East, Northern Region and Brong-Ahafo Regions, as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso.

Alhaji Salia was addressing officers of the Airborne Force Detachment in Wa at this year's West Africa Security Services Association (WASSA) celebration on Monday. He said providing security and peace was service to the nation and a big sacrifice that had led to the country's economic growth. He, therefore, urged other workers to emulate the security personnel t= o promote productivity in their respective establishments in 2011. On the crisis in neighbouring Ivory Coast, Alhaji Salia appealed to Ghanaians to pray to God to touch the hearts of the political leaders and all other stakeholders to dialogue for peaceful a settlement to avoid war. Captain Ross Atiogbe, Commander of the Airborne Force Detachment in Wa, called for co-operation from the people to facilitate their operations in the Region. "We need to strengthen co-operation to promote sustainable peace to enhance development in our Region", he stated.