To curb the illicit use of firearms for robbery, murder and other crimes, the Ghana Police Service has organised a training programme for some selected personnel of the service on the licensing and registration of weapons.
The two-week training course is for 64 personnel, including 28 women of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
It is to build the capacity of the arms clerks in the handling of all issues concerning the civil category of firearms.
Apart from the military and the national security apparatus, all firearms and ammunition handled by individuals and institutions, such as mining companies, private security companies, among others, are considered under the civil category of firearms and ammunition.
The Law
The Director General of the CID, Commissioner of Police Mr Prosper K. Agblor, told participant in the training pogramme that in line with the Arms and Ammunition Act 1972, all persons who owned, possessed or controlled arms or ammunition, including explosives, were to apply to register them at the nearest police station.
He said the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa was of concern to both governments and civil society groups.
The programme, he said, was also designed to generate revenue for the state through the registration of the firearms.
In 2013, he said, the CID achieved only 97 per cent of its projected target of revenue accruing from firearms licensing but aimed at attaining 100 per cent or beyond by the end of 2014.
Mr Agblor urged the participants “to take their lessons seriously and not let this investment go down the drain”.
He also advised them to live above reproach when they returned to their various stations after the course by “eschewing corrupt practices and performing their duties with zeal and dedication”.
The Director of the Detective Training School at Tesano, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ms Evelyn Borbor, said with the recent high rate of proliferation of firearms, there was the need “to tackle the challenge head on”.
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