Victor Abo-Ame Akanbonga, the Programmes Officer of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCASW) in the Upper East Region, has raised serious concerns about the alarming spread of small arms and light weapons in the region.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Akanbonga revealed that a survey conducted by the Commission estimated that approximately 2.3 million small arms are currently in the hands of civilians across Ghana, a figure that underscores the gravity of the issue.
He highlighted that the proliferation of these weapons has exacerbated the protracted chieftaincy and land disputes that have plagued the region.
“The primary tools used to commit crimes in land disputes are small arms and light weapons,” Mr. Akanbonga stated.
He expressed concern about the ease with which these weapons are obtained, attributing the problem to the region’s proximity to the Sahel, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
“The Sahel region is currently experiencing significant political instability, leading to the breakdown of government control and the proliferation of small arms. These weapons often find their way into the hands of civilians and are smuggled into our region through unauthorized routes,” Mr. Akanbonga explained.
In addition to the influx of illicit arms from the Sahel, Mr. Akanbonga pointed out that local manufacturing of weapons by blacksmiths in the Upper East Region is another significant challenge.
He called for urgent action to address these issues, emphasizing the need for tighter border controls and stricter enforcement of laws against illegal arms production to stem the tide of violence fueled by these weapons in the region.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
