Tamale, November 20, 2024 – The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other stakeholders, has called on traditional leaders and security service heads in the Northern Region to collaborate on innovative strategies to silence guns and save lives, especially before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.

Speaking to the media during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya Naa Abukari II, the project coordinator for the “Silence the Guns and Save Lives” campaign, Mr. Leonard Tettey, highlighted the urgent need to address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Ghana.

He emphasized raising awareness about the devastating impact of illicit arms on society. Mr. Tettey underscored the critical role of traditional leaders like the Ya Naa, a strong advocate against illegal arms and armed violence, in combating this menace.

The coordinator further appealed to traditional authorities to dissuade their followers from resorting to violence as a means of resolving disputes, advocating instead for dialogue as the ultimate solution to societal disagreements.

Dialogue must always be the first and last resort, not guns or other violent means, Mr. Tettey stressed.

Available statistics from the Commission indicates that as of February 2024, approximately 1.1 million of the 2.3 million small arms and light weapons in circulation in Ghana are undocumented or untraceable. These include AK-47s, pistols, pump-action guns, and locally manufactured firearms.

Mr. Tettey called for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to tackling the issue, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that even untraceable arms remain unused to promote peace, prosperity, and development.

The three-day campaign will feature a series of activities aimed at raising public awareness.

On Tuesday, the team paid courtesy calls on traditional leaders and heads of security agencies in the region. Wednesday will see the screening of a video documentary highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence in West African countries.

The campaign will climax on Thursday with a peace march by students through the principal streets of Tamale, followed by a grand community durbar at the Tamale Jubilee Park.

The campaign seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to address the proliferation of illicit arms and promote lasting peace in the region and the country at large.

Story By: Abubakari Jamaldeen