Govt, security agencies urged to limit arms importation

Bole {N/R), Jan 10, GNA - The government and the security agencies have been urged to curb the importation of small arms into the country. The Dalpawura, Chief Jacob Wumnaya, made the call at Bole in the Bole District on Friday, at a two-day "Home-coming summit" of the Bole Youth Association on the theme: "The youth as agent of peace and development".

He said if the importation of small arms was not limited Ghana could find itself in civil conflict like other countries in the West African sub-Region.

The Dalpawura noted that the acquisition of small arms by the youth had the potential of unleashing violence, which would throw the country into a state of insecurity.

Chief Wumnaya who was the representative of the Northern Ghana Peace Project, said: "Peace building is not simply the absence of war, or conflict but the creation of sustainable peace through fostering fundamental societal changes," adding, "the absence of justice is often the reason for the absence of peace".

He noted that peace building must be based on social justice and equity, saying that, to promote real peace "silent and hidden conflicts must be brought to light and to achieve reconciliation, these truths must be faced with honesty".

Chief Wumnaya said the potential for violence in society could increase "if a government is regarded as corrupt and unresponsive to the needs of the citizens and when unemployment is linked to an inequitable distribution of income and wealth".