The Upper West Regional Police Command has been asked to strictly enforce traffic laws and regulations, to reduce the vehicular accidents in the area.

Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, the Regional Minister who made the call, expressed worry that lorry accidents had claimed human lives in the region.

He made the call during a working visit to some security agencies in the region, to have first hand information about challenges facing the personnel with the view to addressing those difficulties.

Alhaji Sulemana said he would support security agencies, particularly the police, to prevent accidents and asked them to work with the scarce resources and logistics they had, to sustain peace in the communities.

The Regional Minister said Government was committed to supporting the police with equipment and logistics, to enable them to deliver on their mandate.

He asked them to discharge their duties professionally to maintain law and order, especially during the December 7 polls.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Osie Kwaku Ampofo-Duku, complained of inadequate number of personnel, office and residential accommodation, and suggested the building of a new regional police headquarters with quarters and bungalows in Wa.

He said, out of 32 vehicles provided for the police in the region, only 18 of them were roadworthy.

ACP Ampofo-Duku said the regional police headquarters in Wa had no female cells, and female suspects were sent to female cells in Jirapa or Tamale.

Some of the police officers called for the establishment of a police clinic in the region, to cater for the health needs of personnel. He complained that they were not benefiting from study leave to further their education.**