Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Baah, Bechem District Police Commander, has appealed to the general public to assist the police to arrest people in possession of illegal arms and ammunitions.
He said it was the responsibility of the police to ascertain whether people who possessed arms had permit or not, and behooved on the public to notify the police whenever they come across such people.
DSP Baah made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Tano South District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Bechem.
The meeting, to educate the participants on the need to accept the Supreme Court’s verdict to promote peace in their communities, was attended by assembly members, chiefs, queen mothers, personnel from security agencies and representatives of political parties.
DSP Baah explained that it was against the Public Order Act for any individual or group to possess firearms and ammunition without permit, saying the police has intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute culprits.
He said the police would soon swoop on local blacksmiths who manufactured and traded in local guns in some localities.
DSP Baah advised activists of political parties to conduct themselves in a more responsible manner as the police would not deal leniently with trouble makers.
Mrs Cynthia Anima Boadu, Tano South District Director of NCCE, commended the District Inter-party Dialogue Committee for its role leading to a peaceful election.
She explained that Ghana had attained international recognition and the responsibility depended on all to jealously protect the prevailing peace and tranquillity in the country.
Mrs Boadu observed that disrespect for the judicial system would lead to national instability and entreated the public to have confidence in the Supreme Court.
Mr Michael Amponsah, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of NCCE, said there was no question about the morality and integrity of the nine-member panel adjudicating on the petition.
He said there had been fair proceedings since the matter commenced indicating that the level of justice at the highest court on the land was excellent.
Mr Amponsah advised activists of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be tolerant and accept the Court’s verdict.