import yaml


def read_config_file(config_file):
    """
    Reads configuration information from a YAML file.
    """
    # Read the configuration file in YAML format
    try:
        print(f"Using configuration file {config_file}")
        config = yaml.safe_load(open(config_file))
    except Exception as err:
        msg = f"Error reading configuration in {config_file}: {err}"
        raise Exception(msg)

    return config