Stop arms proliferation - Addo Kufuor

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, on Tuesday charged the International Community to initiate measures that will prevent the proliferation of small arms in the West Africa Sub-Region.

He said if that was not done the problem had the potential of destabilizing the entire Sub-Region.

Dr Addo Kufuor was exchanging views with a three-man delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that called on him at his office in Burma Camp.

The group led by Mr Prosper Bani, UNDP Small Arms Control Officer, was at the invitation of the Ghana government to help it with the problem of small arms control in the country.

The Minister said the UNDP and its allied agencies should help the government in its effort at reducing small arms in conflict prone areas.

"If our friends want to help us then they should be interested in the stability of the nation."

He also said people must begin to ask questions about the motives behind the purchase, shipment and supply of arms to the various rebels groups on the continent.

Dr Addo Kufuor said that government was not interested in the suppression of local small arms manufacturers but should rather be put into groups with proper instructors to produce good quality guns for the Police and the Prison Services.

Mr Bani said the UNDP would enhance government's effort at checking the proliferation of the small arms in the country.

He said his organization would also dialogue with various stakeholders in the country to find a lasting solution to the menace. 19 Aug.03