Weapons Amnesty Declared By Government

NEWS COMMENTARY ON WEAPONS AMNESTY DECLARED BY GOVERNMENT 

For years, many people have expressed concern about the increase in gun related incidence that result in injuries and deaths in the country. The fact that there are illegal weapons and small arms in circulation is not in doubt. The National Commission on Small Arms estimates that there are more than 1.2 million illicit weapons in civilian hands. Often times, the police and other security agencies intercept weapons which are transported from one part of the country to the other. It is also true that some of these weapons are transported across borders. The insecurity posed by the presence of this volume of illegal arms in the hands of the wrong people is petrifying. It is no surprise therefore that armed robbery and other violent crimes continue unabated despite efforts by the police to curtail them. It comes as a great relief steps by the Ministry of the Interior to eliminate or reduce the circulation of illicit weapons in the country. Starting from the 22nd of this month to the 23rd of next month, government is offering opportunity for all those in possession of arms illegally to register, license or surrender them without being sanctioned by the law. The 32 day weapons amnesty is certainly a step in the right direction. This will go a long way to enhance the management and control of the proliferation of weapons in Ghana. A statement from the Interior Ministry indicates that the nature of the amnesty is designed to conform to best practices and forms part of a broader strategy to reduce the effect of the uncontrolled possession of small arms and light weapons in Ghana. 

This is not the first time government is making efforts to control gun in the country. In times past, a policy known as cash for arms was introduced in the northern part of the country, which is notorious for gun conflicts. By that policy, those in possession of illegal weapons were to voluntarily hand over their guns in exchange for money. Unfortunately, it was not successful as many of those who were believed to be in possession of such arms refused to turn up. The circulation of arms is a real danger to society. Apart from preventable deaths, the illicit access to arms has an adverse social impact. It promotes crime, hinders dispute resolution, creates mistrust among individuals and communities and obviously undermines peace efforts at national and community levels. There has not been any serious study to find out why the cash for arms policy failed. 

One needs not be a rocket scientist to know that one of the reasons why people arm themselves is for personal security. If people do not have confidence in the state providing them security, they will be forced to protect themselves. As government embarks on this approach, measures must be put in place to ensure that this one succeeds. It is expected that those in possession of unregistered weapons as well as those with expired licenses will take advantage of the amnesty to register, renew or surrender these weapons. In fact, the public must understand that, under section 96 of the Criminal Code of 1960 as amended, the possession of illicit weapons is a first degree felony which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. After the expiration of the amnesty, government must resort to aggressive measures to discover every illegal or unregistered weapon. All offenders must be made to face the full rigours of the law. The issue of locally manufactured guns must also be looked at seriously. In certain parts of the country, blacksmiths engage in the manufacturing of guns and it appears to be their livelihood. As a first step, alternative livelihood must be provided them so that there will not be any incentive to go into such a venture. 

For this exercise to reduce the number of arms in the country to succeed, everyone must play a part. There is the need for collaboration from all actors. Political parties, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations and individuals must all play a role in this endeavour. It is in the collective interest of everyone that government eliminates the dangers associated with the possession of illicit arms.  Nothing is more traumatising than going to bed or travelling with the fear of the possibility being attacked with a gun. 

Let us all help make Ghana a safer, secure and happy place to live.

BY BUBU KLINOGO, JOURNALIST.