Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, has asked security agencies, particularly the police, to treat illegal mining as a serious offence that requires urgent and decisive intervention to halt its devastating effects on the nation.

He noted that illegal mining is not just an environmental concern, but a severe criminal act that undermines national efforts towards sustainable development and environmental governance.

Consequently, he charged the police to crack down on the menace as calls grow for action following the Regional Security Council’s visit to some ‘galamsey’ endemic communities in the region.

Addressing police personnel at the Central Command on Tuesday as part of his official visit to state institutions, departments and agencies, he regretted the connivance of some self-seeking security personnel with the miners in the fight against galamsey.

The Minister said: “Illegal mining is worrying the Central Region. In some areas in the Fosu Municipality and Upper Denkyira East and West Districts, the actors in galamsey are the miners, some chiefs, with some security personnel clandestinely complicit.

“The perception is that some security personnel pretend to fight against the menace, yet they are part of it. I think the best way to go is to remain as neutral as possible.”

Mr Eduamoah reminded the security agencies of their obligation to work without fear or favour irrespective of the personality involved for justice delivery as that was the only way to discourage obstruction of justice in the country.

They should not allow themselves to be used by politicians to achieve their selfish interests, particularly in their efforts to deal with criminals, who violate the law with impunity.

He said it was imperative for security personnel to ensure strict enforcement of the rule of law, “to arrest and prosecute politicians who engaged in the menace or interfere with the laws.

“It is becoming increasingly unacceptable that some activities of some politicians in this country encourage lawlessness and the culture of impunity. We must help end it.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Adu, the Central Regional Commander, described the region as welcoming, peaceful and progressively opened to business.

However, he lamented the rising chieftaincy disputes, particularly before annual festival celebrations, as a red flag.

He assured that the police would continue to maintain law and order any time such disturbances erupted but appealed to the Regional House of Chiefs to expedite action on the resolution of chieftaincy disputes to maintain the region’s enviable accolade as a “haven of peace and harmony.”

Touching on the state of police affairs, DCOP Adu said the region with a population of more than two million has 1,317 police staff strength.

The region has three Regional Police Commands; Central North, Central North East and Central with 18 police districts, 47 police stations in five Divisions- Winneba, Dawurampong, Mankessim, Agona Swedru and Cape Coast.

He appealed to the people to support the police to maintain law and order by volunteering information to the security agencies to help arrest offenders.