Campaigners against the proliferation of small arms are using this week to high light the dangers of the increasing number of light weapons in circulation around the world.
The Global Week of Action Against gun violence is being marked worldwide.
In Ghana the Small Arms Commission was reconstituted last year to check illicit trade, circulation and abuse of arms, but it has yet to start full time work.
Deputy Interior Minister Kweku Agyemang Manu who chairs the Commission says substantive appointments, including that of an executive secretary should be done by the close of the month.
In the meantime, Mr. Agyemang Manu told Joy FM’s Matilda Asante that the Commission has done preliminary checks which suggest wide circulation of small arms and measures to check circualtion.
A researcher, Emmanuel Sowatey of the African Security Dialogue and Research said it would be very difficult to put a figure to guns in the hands of civilians but said at least 200,000 such arms could be with civilians.
He said the difficulty in tracking the number has to do with the number of such arms that are not registered and the frequency with which they drift from the legitimate hands into illicit hands.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Voters Register: Let’s have evidence during IPAC Meeting – EC to Stakeholders
10 mins -
Ghanaian youngster Joseph Opoku nets winner in Zulte Waregem victory over Anderlecht Futures
41 mins -
Galamsey: NDC imported foreigners to destroy our water bodies – NPP MP alleges
43 mins -
We won’t ban galamsey today or tomorrow – NPP MP Ayew Afriyie
1 hour -
The Direction Talk: Elevating minds, uplifting spirits
1 hour -
Mahama to unveil NDC women’s manifesto in Ashanti Region today
1 hour -
Michael Baidoo scores 10th league goal as Elfsborg come from behind to beat Kalmar
1 hour -
NLA committed to fairness and growth – Sammi Awuku insists
2 hours -
Excessive campaign spending triggering a rise in labour strikes – Austin Gamey
2 hours -
Dr Augustine Blay launches Bawumia Nation to mobilise digital volunteers for 2024 election campaign
2 hours -
Today’s frontpages: Monday, September 30,2024
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo set to begin 2024 election campaign tour on October 2
3 hours -
Robert Ayittey wins GNCCI’s Young Entrepreneur award
3 hours -
Harris campaign raises $55m over two weekend events, campaign official says
3 hours -
StarLife Assurance and eGotickets to secure the lives of event attendees
3 hours