At the 8th National Small Arms Destruction Ceremony held at the Police Depot in Tesano, Accra, to commemorate the United Nations International Small Arms Destruction Day, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, called for sustained collaboration to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Debrah described the destruction of illegal firearms as a critical step towards preserving Ghana’s peace, security and national development and that the exercise demonstrated Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that illicit firearms have no place in Ghanaian communities.
He commended Ghanaians for their response to the Gun Amnesty Programme, which resulted in the surrender of over four thousand firearms, and urged citizens to continue supporting the security agencies by reporting the illicit possession and trafficking of firearms.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening national security and preventing the proliferation of illicit firearms to sustain Ghana’s peace and stability.
According to him, every firearm destroyed represents one less weapon available to criminals, armed robbers, violent extremists, political vigilantes and other individuals who threaten the peace and safety of communities.
Hon. Muntaka noted that although Ghana remains one of Africa’s most peaceful countries, the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons across the sub-region continues to fuel armed conflict, organised crime, violent extremism and cross-border criminal activities.
He urged citizens, traditional authorities, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to support efforts to eliminate illicit firearms through vigilance, public education and the promotion of a culture of peace.
