The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, established by Act 736 of 2007, is duty bound to combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in Ghana. The Commission’s duty includes educating and sensitizing the public on the dangers associated with these weapons to discourage their illegal production and use.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission, Ms. Abena Attafuah, stressed the importance of legally acquiring weapons through the firearms registry, as outlined in Section 3 of the Arms and Ammunitions Act. She pointed out that any weapon not registered, renewed, or used outside its intended purpose is considered illicit under Section 1 of the same Act. These regulations are designed to control the use of arms and ammunition, thereby ensuring public safety.
The P.R.O spoke about the Commission’s efforts to protect peace and security through sensitization schemes in religious bodies and schools. She mentions that these programs aim to educate the youth about the dangers of illicit arms. “The Commission is active across the country, monitoring and raising awareness about the acquisition and usage of small arms to prevent their illicit proliferation,” she stated.
She also acknowledged the government’s support and called on corporate Ghana to assist in the sensitization process.
The Programmes Officer of the Commission, Carl Nii Anyetei-Sowah, says data gathered by the Commission shows the primary issue is human control over weapons rather than the weapons themselves, citing the Kasoa murder instance as an example. He stressed that the dangers of owning a weapon often outweigh the perceived safety benefits, as there are risks of unintentional use, particularly by children. “Where to keep them becomes a burden,” he noted, adding that the Commission discourages individuals from acquiring weapons.
He commended the collaborative effort between the Commission and other security agencies, such as the Ghana Police and the Ghana Armed Forces, to mark weapons, enabling better control of weapons in the system. “This initiative will extend to marking weapons acquired by civilians to ensure comprehensive control,” he asserted.
Additionally, the Programmes Officer reported that the Commission has successfully seized and destroyed 80 tons of weapons in collaboration with security agencies, following approval from the Interior Minister.
Both representatives of the Commission advocate against using guns to resolve disputes, especially in the context of the upcoming election this year.
