Deputy interior minister sounds alarm over small arms proliferation in Ghana

The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has disclosed that over 2.3 million small arms are currently in circulation in Ghana, of which 1.1 million are unregistered, with an estimated 75,000 being artisanal firearms.

According to a report by 3news.com, he made this known at a recent a High-Level Consultative Meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Ada.

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"Small arms proliferation is not an abstract concern but a pressing reality fueling violent crime, including armed robbery, conflicts, electoral violence, and societal fragility, noting that over 2.3 million small arms are in circulation in Ghana, with 1.1 million unregistered and 75,000 artisanal firearms estimated to be in circulation," he noted.

Okletey Terlabi reaffirmed the government's commitment to establishing a robust regulatory framework to safeguard peace, protect citizens, and secure the country’s future.

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He further disclosed that; "The government plans to pass and implement a comprehensive National Arms Act with clear, enforceable provisions aligned with international standards."

JKB/AE

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