The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA Ghana) has commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for what it described as significant improvements in policing, saying the current police administration has helped restore relative peace and public confidence across the country.
In a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday and signed by its President, Mr Ken Kinney, the organisation said the leadership of the Ghana Police Service had demonstrated professionalism and responsiveness, repositioning the Service as a people-centred institution.
WAANSA Ghana said communities that previously experienced heightened insecurity due to armed robbery, land guard activities, highway attacks and chieftaincy-related violence had witnessed improved security through enhanced police visibility, intelligence-led operations and stronger police-public relations.
“The IGP has brought dynamism and discipline to policing. The relative peace we are enjoying today, from our urban centers to our rural communities, is a direct result of strategic reforms, professionalism, and proactive crime prevention measures instituted by the Police Management Board led by COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno,” the statement said.
Commends crackdown on firearm misuse
WAANSA Ghana also praised the IGP and the Ghana Police Service for enforcing laws against the indiscriminate display and discharge of firearms at public gatherings.
The organisation said the increasing practice of civilians displaying and firing sophisticated weapons during funerals, festivals, outdoor events, enstoolment ceremonies and birthday celebrations posed serious threats to public safety and contributed to the normalisation of gun culture.
According to the network, such acts violate the country’s arms laws and have contributed to accidental shootings, injuries and deaths, many of which go unreported.
“We wish to place on record our profound appreciation to the IGP for enforcing the ban on indiscriminate display and discharge of firearms at public gatherings. The swift arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders in recent months have sent a strong signal that Ghana is a rule-of-law country. Funerals and festivals are platforms for cultural expression, not gun exhibitions,” Mr Kinney stated.
Calls for stronger action on arms proliferation
While commending the Police leadership, WAANSA Ghana urged the IGP to intensify efforts to combat the proliferation of illicit arms, particularly amid election-related tensions, chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining activities and growing border security concerns.
The organisation called on the Ghana Police Service to work closely with the National Security, Ghana Immigration Service and other security agencies to sustain intelligence-led operations, cordon-and-search exercises and targeted mop-up operations aimed at retrieving illegal weapons from civilian possession.
It further appealed for stronger border controls to curb cross-border arms trafficking and renewed public education on the dangers associated with unlawful possession and use of firearms.
WAANSA Ghana also advocated the speedy passage of the National Small Arms Bill, which seeks to regulate the manufacture, possession and use of small arms and light weapons in the country.
The network recalled that IGP Yohuno played a key role during stakeholder consultations on the proposed legislation while serving as Deputy Inspector-General of Police and expressed confidence that his leadership would support renewed efforts towards its passage.
“The proliferation of small arms remains the single biggest threat to our internal peace and national development. One illegal gun in the wrong hands is enough to destabilize an entire community. We need a more comprehensive and sustained national response,” the statement added.
WAANSA Ghana pledged its continued collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security stakeholders in promoting peace and strengthening national security, reaffirming its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at making Ghana a model of peace within West Africa.
WAANSA restructures operations
Meanwhile, WAANSA Ghana has announced a major restructuring of its operations with the appointment of 17 Technical Leads to strengthen advocacy, research and community engagement against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The new structure is expected to expand the organisation’s engagement with traditional authorities, religious bodies, governance institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, academia, youth groups, women, the media, political parties and development partners.
Among the newly created positions is the Technical Lead for Chiefs’ Affairs, who will engage chiefs and traditional councils to promote non-violence and discourage illegal arms possession, while the Technical Lead for Queen Mothers’ Affairs will work with women traditional leaders to advance grassroots peace advocacy and highlight the impact of armed violence on women and children.
The organisation has also established Technical Lead positions for Christian Affairs and Muslim Affairs to collaborate with churches, the Christian Council, the Office of the Chief Imam, Islamic councils and mosques in integrating peace messages into sermons, khutbahs and community campaigns.
Other appointments include Technical Leads for Governance Institutions Affairs, Security Institutions Affairs, Think Tank Affairs, Civil Society Organisations Affairs, Youth Groups Affairs, Women and Children’s Affairs, Blacksmiths Affairs, Media Affairs, Political Parties Affairs and Donor Partners Affairs.
WAANSA Ghana said the restructuring would improve coordination among stakeholders, strengthen research and policy advocacy, enhance public education and support national, ECOWAS and international efforts aimed at reducing the spread of illicit small arms across Ghana.
