Tamale, Dec. 24, GNA - The Northern Region has inaugurated a 26-member joint security taskforce for the District Assembly and Unit Committee elections slated for December 28th 2010.

The taskforce, which was inaugurated on Thursday in Tamale by the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Sam Nasamu Asabigi, would ensure that the elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner to sustain the fragile peace in the area.

The taskforce was made up of members and commanders of the security agencies in the Region and chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Roy Amuni, Northern Regional Police Commander. The Minister charged the taskforce to be professional, transparent and disciplined in the discharge of their duties, saying that they must be very vigilant to ensure that any breach to the peace was addressed expeditiously.

Kpan-Na Abdulai Bawah, Member of the Council of State and the Chairman for the occasion, said the Government was determined to transform the Ghana Police Service into a modern one through a strategic plan. He commended the police for their efforts at reducing the crime rate in the country despite logistical constraints and added that there was stil= l more to be done by the police to achieve the desired security in the country.

Kpan-Na Bawah advised the police to undertake public sensitization through the media to educate the public on security issues and how they could help the police in the fight against crime. DCOP Roy Amuni assured the public on behalf the taskforce that there was going to be absolute peace and the elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner. He expressed the commitment of the taskforce towards the upcoming elections and appealed to the public to demonstrate interest as well in the election. Mr David Kangah, a Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of finance, assured the taskforce that their logistical concerns would be addressed. He said the EC was grateful to the taskforce for their sacrifice and devotion towards the elections.