It also pledged to work hard to push the development agenda of government forward.

This was contained in a press release from the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, after REGSEC had held its maiden meeting with the Regional Minister, Mr Rockson Ayine Bukari.

The Council met with the Minister for the first time to debrief him on the state of security affairs in the Region and the way forward.

The release said, “Government and REGSEC would continue to place the security of Ghanaians high on the agenda of development so that people can live and work in freedom”.

It expressed gratitude to the people for helping to keep peace and security in the Region and commended the traditional authorities, religious groups, community and political leaders for supporting the conduct of peaceful and successful elections in December, 2016.

The Council however, entreated the public to recognize that there were still some fragile situations and urged all to restrain from inflaming passions related to chieftaincy, politics and land issues.

It urged the public not to be complacent with the current peace enjoyed but exercise greater responsibility in keeping the peace and called on stakeholders to continue to preach tolerance, unity, forgiveness and brotherhood among all and to acknowledge the importance of peaceful co – existence which was critical in attracting investment into the Region for job and wealth creation.

The Council also assured security agencies of Government’s commitment to enhance the capacity and living conditions of all security officers in the Region through appropriate motivations to enable them give off their best for the nation.

It noted that continuous education and sensitization of the public on the principles and practices of cohesion, and harmony were crucial, saying the appropriate collaboration would be made with stakeholders to deepen it at all levels.

Therefore it promised to organize regular fora to sensitize communities and groups on technical decisions of the security.

In order to get rid of criminals and miscreants, it said the security agencies were mobilizing intelligence on their hide outs and would soon smoke them out of the Region.

Members of the REGSEC include the Regional commanders; Ghana Police Service, Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), Armed Forces, Immigration Service, Fire Service, the Ghana Prison Service and Customs.