Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister for Interior, has expressed Government’s concern about recent fire outbreaks, intermittent communal violence and armed robberies in the country. He however assured the public that adequate security measures have been put in place to protect life and property. Mr Ahwoi made the remarks during the routine "Meet the Press" series in Accra, during which he dwelt on the security situation in the country and outlined Government's efforts to address the challenge. Mr Ahwoi said though the Ministry has been able to maintain peace and order after Election 2012, much more needed to be done. “Government is concerned about the security situation in the country and is determined to improve the situation”, he added. He said adequate logistics and training had been given to personnel of the 10 agencies under the Ministry to strengthen and enhance their operational capacities. Mr Ahwoi said Government was aware of the challenges confronting the agencies, adding that the Ministry was working to ensure the agencies collaborated efforts to be able to deliver efficient services at reduced cost. He said Government was also facilitating the procurement of standardised operational equipment and facilities, the establishment of common mechanical workshops and the introduction of mobile workshops to enhance the mobility of security agencies. In a related development, Police in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region are attributing an upsurge in criminal activities in the gold mining town to the clamp down on illegal mining by government. According to them, the exercise has deprived some people in the town of their main source of livelihood and have now resorted to stealing and other criminal activities to eke out a living. The Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kofi Dwomfuoh Berchie, says car theft in particularly has been on the increase in the area. Some residents who spoke to Joy News say they are constantly living in fear due to the rise in criminal activities in the township.