Deputy Interior Minister Calls for Firm Leadership on Arms Control
The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has called for stronger political leadership and a holistic management approach to weapons and ammunition to prevent the escalation of violent conflicts and extremism across the Gulf of Guinea, as well as the wider West and Central African sub-region.
Mr. Terlabi made this call while delivering the keynote address at the Regional Dialogue on Weapons and Ammunition Management held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
He said the growing proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to pose a serious threat to peace, security, and development in the region, stressing that decisive leadership and coordinated action are required to reverse the trend.
According to him, illicit weapons flows fuel armed violence, organised crime, insurgency, and general insecurity, thereby undermining governance structures, socio-economic development, and the stability of local communities.
Mr. Okletey Terlabi, described Ghana as being affected by spillover effects of neighbourhood conflicts and the misuse of arms, making regional dialogue platforms critical for peer learning, cooperation and effective conflict prevention strategies.
The Deputy Minister disclosed that government is taking steps to address legislative gaps in arms control and has recently concluded a nationwide Gun Amnesty Programme. The initiative, he explained, was aimed at encouraging the voluntary surrender of unlicensed firearms without fear of prosecution.
The African Union High Representative on Silencing the Guns, Dr. Ibn Chambas, commended Ghana for improved coordination in arms management and disarmament efforts. He stressed the need for practical enforcement measures and urged stakeholders to engage communities, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and local opinion leaders as agents of change.
Dr. Chambas further advocated non-extremist approaches to security, prison reforms, sustained dialogue and the development of clear, actionable plans to strengthen weapons and ammunition management systems.
The opening session was also attended by the Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Akrong, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr. Niloy Banerjee.
