Accra, Feb.13, GNA - President John Evans Attah Mills on Friday said peace was basic for national development and asked Ghanaians to strive to maintain the peace that the country now enjoys. "Ghana must strive to maintain peace; peace supersedes everything" President Mills said in Accra.

President Mills made the remark when a delegation from the National Peace Council (NPC) led by Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, the Chairman paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu. The delegation congratulated the President on his assumption to the highest political office of the land and assured him of the Council's preparedness to assist to foster national coercion through peace building.

The President commended the Council in its effort in promoting peace at Ghana's last General elections and the present peace that the country enjoys.

The President urged the members to maintain the neutrality of the Council to preserve the national unity, adding that government would be interacting regularly with the Council ensure peace in the country. Cardinal Turkson said the Council had noted with gratification the President's pledge to be for all the citizenry and it was the prayer of the Council that God would grant the president wisdom and strength to work and unite Ghanaians to bring hope and joy to each and every one. The NPC, he noted had since its establishment in August 2006 maintained neutrality and impartiality in all its activities, and work with all stakeholders irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political affiliation. The council appealed to the president to assist in passing the NPC Bill currently at the Ministry of Interior into law to make the Council effective. The Council presented a report on its activities to the President and prayed for him as well as the nation.

NSOC 18 Social Valentine Police Winneba Police Command put in place measure for incident free Valentine

Winneba (C/R) Feb. 13, GNA - The Winneba Police Command has put in place measures to sustain peace and also prevent crime in the municipality during the celebration of the Valentine festival. As part of the measures, the municipality has been divided into four zones and sufficient personnel has been deployed to each zone to assist maintain law and order. The Acting Winneba Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Asiedu Okanta, said this in a press statement issued in Winneba, with a copy made available to the Ghana News Agency. He appealed to the public to cooperate with the police to ensure the success of the measures to ensure an incident free Valentine. ASP Okanta said the reasons for the exercise were to protect life and property, prevent crime, apprehend offenders and maintain peace and order. The statement advised the public to exercise moderation during the celebration of the festival to avoid any mishap. The police commander reminded the public, especially the youth that, HIV/AIDS was real and that they must avoid sexual promiscuity and the taking of hard drugs during the celebration. "Drivers who operate within the municipality ought to comport themselves as expected and drive passengers safely to their destination". The statement urged drivers to refrain from drinking when on duty and also avoid over speeding, dangerous and careless driving because "anyone caught in that act would be arrested and prosecuted", he said. 13 Feb. 09