Illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, pose a major security threat to the Western Region, according to members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).

According to REGSEC, the operations of illegal miners in the region had considerably damaged the environment.

Illegal miners are also polluting major rivers such as Ankobra, Bonsa and other water bodies that serve as sources of drinking water.

Other negative consequences of the illegal mining activities in the region include destruction of arable lands for agricultural cultivation of cocoa, rubber and palm oil.

The chairman of the REGSEC and the Regional Minister, Ebenezer Teye Addo, disclosed this at the opening of the maiden meeting of senior Police Officers in the region.

The meeting was aimed at boosting security, peace and stability in the region, among others.

He bemoaned the blatant pollution of River Pra and the destruction of its ecology at Daboase, near Takoradi, as well as hampering the smooth operations of the Ghana Water Company.

Mr. Addo told the officers that the police, in collaboration with other security services, would assess the dangers posed by the illegal miners and take a firm stand against the nation wreckers who continue to intensify their activities.

“I expect the security services, particularly the police to adopt intelligence-led policing practices to gather and analyze information on regular basis to ensure that you are on top of situations at all times,” he told the police senior officers.

The regional minister regretted that the area had recorded the highest number of chieftaincy-related cases in the country and commended the police and other security services for their swift intervention.

The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye, noted that the police were aware of the dangers posed by illegal miners in the region, adding that the situation worsened because of hazardous and poisonous chemicals.

“Some operators associate themselves with narcotic drugs and the proliferation of small arms such as locally made and imported pistols and robbery cases are prevalent at their camp sites,” he revealed.

DCOP Boakye said that the police, in collaboration with other security services, would ensure that the activities of illegal miners in the region are nib in the bud.

He disclosed that there had been an increase in police presence in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis to lessen the commission of crimes.

“It is our hope that the public will make suggestions as to our deployment in order to make the whole project effective and useful,” DCOP Kofi Boakye added.