The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has attributed the incessant killings of police officers in line of duty to the proliferation of illicit small arms in the country.
The Commission in a statement in reaction to the recent killings of police officers in line of duty said “these acts of demented violence should not be entertained.
“The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has noted with consternation the number of Ghanaians who have died as a result of gun violence, particularly the number of police personnel who have died in line of duty this year.”
Shooting incidents
“It said the Inspector General of Police at the Police Memorial Day held on November 30, 2019 said about nine police personnel had died in line of their duty in 2019.
Then on December 3, 2019, barely three days after the Police Memorial Day, it was reported that another police officer who was performing his lawful duty, providing escort in a bullion van, had been gunned down by armed criminals in Sefwi Asempaneye area in the Western North Region.
“It has again been reported on December 7 and 8, 2019, which a police and a BNI officer as well as female teacher have been shot dead at Mankessim in the Central Region and Walewale in the North East Region respectively,” the Commission recounted.
Below is the full statement:
ILLICIT SMALL ARMS KILLING POLICE OFFICERS IN LINE OF DUTY
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has noted with consternation the number Ghanaians who have died as a result of gun violence particularly the number of police personnel who have died in the line of duty this year 2019.
At the recent Police Memorial day commemoration held on the 30 November 2019 the Inspector General of Police(IGP) in his address expressed concern that Nine (9) police personnel had died in the line of duty this year 2019 alone. On the 3rd December 2019 barely three days after the Police Memorial Day, it had been reported that another Police Officer who was performing his lawful duty providing escort in a bullion van had been gunned down by armed criminals in Sefwi Asempaneye in the Sefwi Wiawso area of the Western North Region.
Whilst the Commission extends its condolences to the families of the departed officers and other families who have lost their loved ones through gun violence this year, this phenomenon requires urgent Government attention . As a country we cannot not allow our men and women who do not shy away from their duty to protect us and put their lives in harms way to die in this manner. These acts of demented violence should not be entertained.
It is for these reasons why the Commission is working assiduously to curb gun proliferation of all forms by carrying out public education and awareness on the dangers associated with the illicit gun trade, manufacture and abuse. The Commission is also marking weapons to enhance easy identification and tracing of guns used to commit crime.
In spite of the Commission’s efforts at curbing proliferation of Small Arms in the country, challenges still persist but this does not call for despair, we need to stand together to defeat the criminals.
We therefore call on the public to join us in the fight against illicit small arms trade, manufacture and trafficking by these criminals.This requires citizens to be vigilant and report any suspected illegal activities to the law enforcement agencies.
Whilst conceding that there are gaps in the current laws for fighting the proliferation of small arms, efforts are being made to review the laws to respond to these emerging security threats of the 21st century and enhance the fight against proliferation of small arms.
We also call on all stakeholders particularly, traditional authorities, leaders of faith-based organisations, and the general public to support our endeavoursto review and strengthen our gun laws to prevent gun violence deaths and make our society safe to attract the needed investment for development.
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REV. PROF. PAUL FRIMPONG MANSO
BOARD CHAIRMAN
