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1.3 million firearms in the hands of civilians - Report

A survey by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons showed that 62% of the respondents the commission interviewed had unlicensed weapons but were not willing to surrender them voluntarily.

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According to the commission between 1981 and 2013, the police firearms bureau registered  over 1.3 million weapons to civilians.

The survey further revealed that 62% of the respondents the commission interviewed had unlicensed weapons but were not willing to surrender them voluntarily.

Also the ability to trace illicit arms and light weapons, their parts, components, and ammunition back to the point where they passed from legal to the illicit realm is very critical in reducing proliferation.

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The report further revealed that in the last 10 years, only 35,000 weapons get renewed each year. The report also indicated that over 1.2 million Ghanaians are holding their weapons illicitly in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of the Interior, Prosper Bani, said there is the need for public sensitization programs on the proliferation of arms as we approach the general elections in December. He further reiterated that anybody who possesses illegal weapons should come out and register them voluntarily.

According to him, there are several pockets of laws associated with small arms management control in this country and there is the need to bring all together to ensure consistency as this would help to know the way forward when it comes to weapons possession and its use.

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Mr. Bani indicated that the locally produced weapons are becoming a threat to our society because a quick review of all recent armed robbery case indicate that 99% of weapons used were locally manufactured.

On his part, the National Commission on Small Arms and light weapons Jones Applerh said the commission finds the situation disconcerting. He suggested that commission will collaborate with the Ministry to seek support towards the setting up of a computerized National Arms Database system to enhance the management of small arms.

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