IGP Vows to Halt Arms Trafficking

Ghana's Police chief Thursday said the organisation is taking measures to halt the proliferation of arms and ammunition in the country, attributing the situation to the laxity in importation and sale procedures.

Peter Nanfuri, inspector general of Police, told a news conference in Accra that the upsurge in the use of arms for criminal activities and violence could be linked to the illegal trade in firearms.

He urged people in possession of firearms to register them immediately.

The news conference was to throw light on the report of the Arms and Ammunition Inventory Committee set up by government.

Criminals have had access to arms and ammunition causing the authorities a great deal of embarrassment.

Nanfuri noted that laid down procedures for the importation, storage, supervision and distribution of arms and ammunition have not been followed.

"Proper records have not been kept by dealers to ensure efficient stocktaking or inventory"

He said joint custody of keys to the magazine by dealers and the Police have been breached, culminating in the smuggling of large quantities of arms and ammunition out of the country.

"We understand most of these arms find their way to our neighbouring countries and they sell like hot cake for whatever reason we are yet to know."

He observed that the armouries and magazines of dealers are most of the time not properly secured.

He said the Police would henceforth ensure the proper adherence of the law to enhance public safety.

Nanfuri said prospective buyers of arms would now have their photographs on a special form with their particulars.

He appealed to the public to assist the Police to curb the illegal manufacture of arms and to apprehend those holding them without permit.