Accra, March 5, GNA - Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to combating armed robbery, smuggling, and drug trafficking and ensuring internal security to make the country safe for its citizens.

Thus, it has allocated GH¢159,015,198 to the Ministry of Defence to implement activities aimed at supporting civil authorities to maintain peace, order and security in the country. Presenting the 2009 budget to Parliament, Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said the outlook for the sector would include the plan to conduct intensive sea and air patrols in the country's territorial waters, especially the fishery grounds and oil prospecting fields. He said government would repair and maintain Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), procure soft-skin vehicles and combat equipment, repair dock and maintain naval ships as well as refurbish and maintain Ghana Air Force aircraft.

The Minister said the focus would be to improve human resource capacity of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) personnel to improve their effectiveness in national security matters and fully equip and deploy personnel of all ranks in internal and external peacekeeping operations. Dr Duffuor said government would continue with all GAF housing and office accommodation projects.