One hundred and seventeen people were killed while 456 sustained injuries in road accidents in the Western Region in 2016.

The Regional Police Command recorded 60 robbery cases in 2016 as against 56 in 2015, representing an increase of seven percent. Defilement cases also increased from 95 in 2015 to 149 in 2016.

The region also recorded 149 defilement, 49 rape, 28 narcotics, 1,348 fraud and 3,728 stealing cases in 2016.

The Regional Commander, DCOP Kwesi Mensah Duku, made the disclosure during the 2016 West African Security Services Association (WASSA) annual get-together of the Ghana Police Service in the Western Region last Friday.

He gave assurance that the Command would work hard and adopt proactive and pragmatic strategies to reduce crime to its barest minimum.

The Regional Command bemoaned the increase in crime in the area.

DCOP Kwasi Duku said that chieftaincy disputes continue to pose challenges in the region.

He cited chieftaincy dispute in the Sefwi Bekwai Traditional area and other parts of the region.

He appealed to the Regional House of Chiefs and the various courts to expedite action on some of the chieftaincy issues before them to help avert any unnecessary conflicts.

He also admonished all interested parties in any chieftaincy dispute in the region to use the appropriate channels in resolving their issues.

“Any untoward approach to achieve their aim will not be tolerated. Operational men from SWAT and RDF in Takoradi are on the grounds to provide security.”

The regional police boss also expressed concern about the activities of illegal miners also called ‘galamsey operators’ which has been on the rise in the Western Region and other parts of the country.

“Their activities have caused considerable damage to the environment as well as polluted the water bodies in the region.

“Although there have been warning and joint police and military operations to clamp down on the activities of these illegal miners, whose activities gradually degrade the environment, the menace still persists.”

DCOP Duku disclosed that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would continue to organize operations to flush out the ‘galamseyers’ from the areas where they operate.

DCOP Duku noted that the mandate of the Ghana Police Service cannot be accomplished without the support of the media.

He further urged the media not to hesitate to consult the police to check the veracity of information before publication.

The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Gifty Eugenia Kusi, commended the police for the various roles they played in ensuring peace in the 2016 general elections.