The Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms, Gyebi Asante, has urged the public to protect the peace ahead of the 2024 elections and avoid causing confusion.
He stated that failing to maintain peace could lead to significant consequences.
He made this known on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, following the recent confiscation of firearms and live ammunition at the Tema Port.
He described such incidents as a serious threat to national security and warned that they should not be allowed to continue.
“As we approach the elections, it is crucial to remember that we need peace, not chaos. Anyone found involved in such illegal activities will be dealt with severely,” Asante stated.
Mr. Asante reiterated the importance of protecting peace during the election period.
“We don’t have anywhere to go if we fail to safeguard our peace. We need to silence the gun to save lives during the elections. The goal is to ensure that no one uses firearms to disrupt the election process,” he said.
Customs officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) discovered 53 pistols, 74 magazines, and 65 rounds of live ammunition hidden in a container that was falsely declared to contain vehicles and personal effects.
The shipment, arriving from the United States, was intercepted after thorough investigations by the GRA’s Intelligence and Preventive Units.
However, Mr. Asante stated that although the weapons were seized, it is too early to determine whether they are linked to the upcoming December 7 elections.
“We cannot make any conclusions until the investigation is fully completed,” he said.
He therefore advised the public that anyone wishing to acquire a firearm must follow the correct legal processes.
“If you don’t have bad intentions, then go through the proper channels to acquire a registered weapon. It’s important to ensure all firearms are legally acquired,” he advised.
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