Let’s check arms in private hands
There are periodic reports of discovery of arms and ammunition being conveyed from one point to undisclosed destinations in this country.
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We also have locally manufactured shotguns of various sizes, usually small and handy. These are normally patronised by hunters and farmers.
The trade in arms and ammunition has been a genuine or legal business in the past. Licensed arms dealers could import shotguns (usually long, single or double-barrel models) into the country. Buyers were/are required to acquire police permits to possess and use them for specific purposes such as hunting.
Keeping shotguns for self-defence was hardly a remote objective, because self-defence or ‘security’ had not been a major concern until the upsurge of armed robbery about 30 or so years ago.
Another burning concern has been the presence of Fulani herdsmen who are armed to the teeth with AK47s originally supposed to be used by the police and special security operatives. One really wonders how such people manage to come by those weapons.
The arrest of a Ghanaian in the United States of America who, allegedly, had hidden a number of firearms and stuffed canvas boots with thousands of US dollars, in fridges intended for shipment to Ghana, has hit the headlines and social media.
The incident has a lot of significance at a time the nation is preparing for elections in less than six months.
Again, we had witnessed a situation whereby one of the major political parties had attempted to train a group of people to protect some of its leading members before, during and after the elections.
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Also, an exercise carried out by the Electoral Commission (EC) to register potential voters who had attained 18 years or had not registered before, turned violent in certain areas. People brandishing dangerous gadgets caused mayhem and inflicted wounds on others.
The need for extra vigilance by the security agencies cannot be over-stressed. Already, we have pockets of hot spots in some parts of the country. There are frequent clashes between neighbouring ethnic groups and even clans, over deep-seated issues which seem not to be settled satisfactorily. Attempts at peace efforts have had to be revisited at short intervals.
Surprisingly, groups and individuals, including very influential opinion leaders, are clamouring for violence in their utterances on air and in public pronouncements, trying to justify self-defence.
There is a lot of suspicion, distrust or lack of confidence these days among people and in the operations of some public institutions. This is very unfortunate for our present democratic dispensation.
The upcoming political campaigns and the elections should take place without any form of intimidation from any quarters.
We should recall the unpleasant consequences of situations in other countries all over the world. Our security forces should gird their loins and live up to the assurances they are giving us in the face of such challenges, not only for the impending elections, but all the time. After all, elections are not the ultimate in life.
We should be able to live in total guarantee of peace to go about our daily affairs and routines.
Hoarding guns, missiles and other lethal weapons will not solve any problems; they will rather aggravate the security situation in the country.