Gov’t urged to pay more attention to gun violence in the country

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has stated that the current gun violence in the country required urgent government attention to deal with the situation.

It stated that it was not acceptable to allow police officials who were executing their duties to protect the nation and lives to be killed in such manner.

The Commission in a statement in reaction to the recent killings of police officers in line of duty said “these acts of demented violence should not be entertained”.

“The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has note woth consternation the number of Ghanaians who have died as a result of gun violence, particularly the number of police personnel who have died in line of duty this year”.

Shooting incidents

It said the Inspector General of Police at the Police Memorial Day held on November 30th, 2019 said about nine police personnel had died in line of their duty in 2019.

Then on December 3, 2019, barely three days after the Police Memorial Day, it was reported that another police officer who was performing his lawful duty, providing escort in a bullion van, had been gunned down by armed criminals in Sefwi Asempaneye area in the Western North Region.

It has again been reported on December 7 and 8, 2019, which a police and a BNI officer as well as female teacher have been shot dead at Mankessim in the Central Region and Walewale in the North East Region respectively.

The statement indicated that Commission was working to assiduously curb gun proliferation in all forms by carrying out public education and awareness on the dangers associated with the illicit gun trade, manufacture and abuse.

Be vigilant

Although the Commission was faced with challenges, it said the incidences should not call for despair but rather “we need to stand together to defeat he criminals”.

“We therefore called on the public to join us in the fight against illicit small arms trade, manufacture and trafficking by these criminals”, it said.

It further urged Ghanaians to be vigilant and report any suspected illegal activities to the law enforcement agencies.

Whilst conceding that there were gaps in the current laws for fighting the proliferation of small arms, efforts are being made to review the laws to respond to these emerging security threats and enhance the fight against the proliferation.