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The 2009 Ex-fire blast inter-service shooting competition of the Ghana Armed Forces is underway at the Yaohima Military range of the 3BN Garrison in Sunyani. The Army, Navy and the Air Force are competing in M16 rifle shooting, SMG and Pistol Norinco shootings as well as Falling Plates. Prizes ranging from trophies, plaques, medals and certificates would be given to deserving competitors after the five-day event. The objectives of the competition among others is to train and improve weapon handling, exchange training ideas and foster cooperation and friendship among the services as well as promote esprit-de-corps within the Ghana Armed Forces. At the opening ceremony on Wednesday, Brigadier General Charles K. Ocran, General Officer Commanding the Northern Command, called on personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces to display high level professionalism to enable them to cope with security challenges currently facing the world. He said the upsurge of armed robberies, violence and cross border crimes in Ghana called for skilful use of weapons among personnel of the Armed Forces to ensue stability. Brigadier General Ocran said the Navy and Air Force were included in the competition because apart from their core jobs of policing the sea and the air, they also assist internal security and beef up the strength of the infantry on international operations. He said that the competition was not a do-and-die affair which should generate enmity, stressing "it is meant to test our skills in a healthy atmosphere". "It is also a forum to test, not only our skills, but our moral and ethical values of fairness, good sportsmanship and brotherliness", Brigadier Ocran said.