By Mavis Paintsil & Jenifer Nar-Tei
Ghana will publicly destroy over 4,000 illicit firearms later this month in a high-profile exercise aimed at cutting the flow of illegal weapons and proving government accountability.
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons is holding the weapons after a nationwide amnesty. Executive Director Adam Bona said the Commission has worked with security agencies to log, secure, and prepare the arms for disposal under international standards.
“The number of weapons surrendered shows Ghanaians support efforts to get illegal guns off our streets,” Bona said.
The destruction will take place on July 25 and July 29 in full public view to build trust in the process. The Presidency has been invited, and the President is expected to attend as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Women take center stage for peace
The exercise also forms part of activities marking the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Naa Momo Lartey, used the platform to push for more women in peace and security decisions. She cited UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls on member states to increase women’s role in conflict prevention and resolution.
“Lasting peace is impossible without women at the table,” Lartey said. She noted women already lead community efforts to resolve disputes and restore trust after conflict.
The Minister urged government institutions and development partners to expand peace education at the grassroots, and called on women and girls to take active roles in promoting stability locally.
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