Roundup: Ghana tightens measures to prevent proliferation of small arms

Ghana has taken steps to control the proliferation of small arms and weapons in unauthorized hands.

It is estimated that there are 2.3 million weapons in civilian hands in Ghana, with only 1.2 million of that number having been officially registered.

The number of illegal firearms in wrong hands means that for Ghana's 27 million people, the ratio of illegal arms to the population stands at 1:25.

Security experts believe weapons which have not been captured on the Police database might end up in the hands of rascals who might use them to commit crimes, terrorize society or ignite communal violence.

In the last few years, the security agencies in Ghana have arrested a number of arms smugglers and seized thousands of weapons.

Last Saturday, the National Commission for Small Arms and Light Weapons burnt some 1,300 range of illicit locally manufactured weapons seized across the country in 2015.

The arms were seized by the various security agencies from smugglers and suspected armed robbers and during conflicts and raids on small arms manufacturers.

The destruction of the weapons formed part of activities to mark the United Nations International Day for Destruction of Weapons, which seeks to eliminate gun-fueled violence.

Ghana's Minister for the Interior Prosper Bani said the government, through the security agencies, had adopted a multifaceted approach to address the numerous threats posed by the uncontrolled use of small arms.

The measures include the adoption of effective means to settle disputes to maintain peace and stability; tightening security at national armories; enhancing weapon marking and tracing; as well as tightening domestic controls to prevent small arms from flowing into wrong hands.

He said as Ghana prepares for this year's general election, the Commission was working with stakeholders to reduce the number of illegal weapons in circulation.

"Even though Ghana has not experienced any major election conflict since the return to multi-party democracy, we cannot be complacent, neither can we afford to take our eyes off the ball," said Bani.

The 1,300 weapons seized and destroyed were just a portion of what was already in the system, according to the Executive Secretary of the Small Arms Commission, Jones Applerh.

He, however, assured Ghanaians that his outfit would continue the fight to retrieve illegal weapons in unscrupulous hands. Endit