Deputy Minister of the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has emphasized the urgent need for a stronger legal and regulatory framework to tackle the increasing spread of small arms and light weapons in Ghana.
Speaking at a High-Level Consultative Meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Ada, Mr. Terlabi warned that the growing circulation of firearms poses a serious threat to national security and stability. He noted that gun-related violence is a pressing reality, fueling armed robbery, communal conflicts, electoral violence, and undermining social cohesion.
He revealed that an estimated 2.3 million small arms are currently in circulation nationwide, with about 1.1 million unregistered. Approximately 75,000 of these are locally manufactured artisanal weapons.
The Deputy Minister expressed concern that Ghana’s existing legal framework—the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1972 (NRCD 9)—is outdated and inadequate for present-day security challenges. He assured that the government is committed to introducing a modern National Arms Act with provisions aligned to international best practices.
According to Mr. Terlabi, the new legislation will focus on:
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Strengthening compliance and license renewal processes
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Enhancing enforcement through capacity building and inter-agency collaboration
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Curbing artisanal arms production and preventing diversion into illicit markets
He appealed to stakeholders to collaborate in building a peaceful and secure society where human rights are protected and citizens are shielded from gun violence.
Mr. Terlabi reiterated government’s commitment, under President John Dramani Mahama, to modernize Ghana’s arms control system and confront evolving threats from illicit weapons.
The two-day consultative programme is organized by the West African Action Network on Small Arms in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Source: Adomonline
