Former Manhyia North MP, Collins Owusu Amankwaa, has cautioned the government against publicly announcing timelines for retrieving illicit arms, warning that such disclosures only prompt offenders to hide their weapons.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, he commended the Interior Minister for introducing a gun amnesty programme but stressed that its success will depend on stronger operational strategies.
“I applaud the Interior Minister for his statement regarding the gun amnesty. My concern is public awareness; once you announce a specific timeline for people to surrender their arms, it often encourages them to hide their weapons instead. We all oppose illicit arms, but operations to retrieve them should be confidential and not disclosed to the public or civilians. Over the years, this has proven effective, because whenever such operations are announced, individuals conceal their firearms.
“When conducting operations, it is crucial to move swiftly in areas like ghettos and streets without prior notice. We have armed conflict zones that must be addressed, and we must focus on locating illegal weapons, including locally manufactured guns that are unmarked and often illegal. Regulation is necessary,” he said.
He further expressed concern about the rise in armed conflicts, the proliferation of unregulated locally produced weapons, and increasing cases of murder and robbery.
Mr Owusu Amankwaa called for stronger collaboration between the Commission on Small Arms and the Ghana Police Service to curb the spread of illicit weapons.
He warned that growing indiscipline and the open display of guns are making communities unsafe, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to restore public safety.
“The Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons should work closely with the Ghana Police Service to monitor and eliminate this problem. The rising indiscipline in Ghana, along with increasing murder and robbery cases, is closely linked to illicit arms in the wrong hands. Urgent action is needed. Indiscipline is rampant, and people openly flaunt guns everywhere. The Interior Minister and the Ghana Police Service must take decisive action, as society is becoming increasingly dangerous to live in,” he added.
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