1.5 million unregistered guns in Ghana

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An estimated 1.5 million illegal weapons are said to be in the hands of unknown people in the country. 

The number was derived from the number of licensed guns which have been registered with the Ghana Police Service as at December 2011. 

According to the Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (GNCSALW), Mr Jones Borteye Applerh, an estimated 500,000 licensed weapons are owned by individuals in the country. 

Mr Applerh who was speaking on e.tv Ghana’s Awake Morning Show said the illicit ones were difficult to know. 

According to him, “out of every one legal weapon found out there, there are five more out there we don’t know of.” 

As the country prepares for the upcoming 2012 general elections, the incidence of armed violence is likely to undermine Ghana’s democratic credentials and development efforts. 

Already, some violent incidences have been reported in some areas where the biometric voters’ registration is ongoing and according to Mr Applerh, it is inexcusable for someone to carry weapons to social gatherings including registration centres. 

He said disagreements and conflicts will continue to exist in the society but cautioned Ghanaians, especially the youth to desist from resorting to violence to settle such disputes. 

Mr Applerh also allayed the fears of Ghanaians noting that the Commission would collaborate with the police and all security agencies to undertake initiatives which will help prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit use of small arms and light weapons in the country. 

According to him, “guns necessarily don’t make criminals; they are, however, abused by criminals.” He, therefore, called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to be conscious of the situation and make it a collective responsibility to rid the society of tools of armed violence. 

He also called on political party leaders to prevail upon their supporters to desist from resorting to the use of guns to settle political disputes at the least provocation. 

Jasmine Arku/etvghana.com

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