By Maxwell Okamafo Addo
My Intelligence sources tells me that the Security Situation in town is not the best. Things are not getting better and its getting scarier and uneasy the way civilians are brandishing unlicensed guns with impunity in the Country. The Security services are on top of their game but some few civilians, criminals and the various vigilante groups cut across the political divide are making their work very difficult. When one takes a look at events upon event.
The assault riffle called AK 47 that is being used by the security services has virtually become a common gun for criminals. Everyday AK Ak Ak. Like was done in 2016 as I can recollect.
The Government of Ghana must as a matter of urgency give all illegal gun owners amnesty to minimize and save the country. If the need be I will also advice that the usage of the Aks must be given a second opinion. Criminals are using the same assault riffle with impunity with the Security services. And have mastered in its usage. They can assemble and dismantle. They now have the effrontery to exchange fire with the security services When they are being chased. Its time we upgrade our game as a nation and be on top of our game. I Therefore plead with government to once again reintroduce a weapons amnesty to individuals and groups to curb the proliferation of arms to save the situation.Grant amnesty to those with unlicensed guns so that they can hand them over to the police or the Ghana Small Arms Commission (GSAC).
Give a time frame for those who failed to take advantage of the amnesty and deal with them severely.
This I believe will be done in consultation and following an assessment of the situation and based on advice from the security agencies. The President His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo must immediately direct the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Small Arms Commission to take steps to enhance the management and control of the proliferation of weapons by instituting a limited weapons amnesty exercise,
So that they can be destroyed like the Galamsey Machines seized from illegal owners.
My research tells me there were still more than 4.1 million firearms and light weapons in wrong hands.
Many Ghanaians will be safer, many businesses and homes in Ghana will be spared from potential armed robberies and violence by the use of weapons, This I believe Many homes will be spared from potential break-ins, all these are the result of the removal from our society and the destruction of thousands of illegal small arms.
I will call on government to descend heavily on those who failed to hand over their arms. Other Security experts estimate that there are around 4.1 million weapons in civilian hands in Ghana, with only about 2.2 million being legally registered.
Ghana, a country paraded as beacon of democracy in Africa, Must continue to maintain it stakes as a Gateway to Africa and One of the most Powerful and influential peaceful country in Africa.
