Pump action guns importation raises concerns

The Head of Programmes for the Africa Centre for Security Counter Terrorism, Sulley Ibrahim, has warned that the importation of 1,575 guns poses a far more security threat than perceived. A consignment of handguns and gauge pump action guns were cleared at the Tema Port but seized last week, an incident which whistleblowers initially suspected was illegal. Upon further interrogation, the police said the guns were legally imported, but the Africa Centre for Security Encounter Terrorism insists the Interior Ministry must come clear to allay any fears.

Speaking in an interview with Kwesi Asempa on Onua FM, Mr. Ibrahim noted the Centre was concerned with the manner in which permit to own or to import arms into the country were awarded. He acknowledged that there were guns in the system that needed to be rid but is worried the country was seen to be importing more. He charged the Ministry of Interior to come clear to explain the process that allows people to import more guns into the country “The Ministry needs to explain the processes and why weapons [firearms] can be imported into the country for civilian use,” he said. Again, the security expert noted that the proliferation of guns in the country could be controlled by first checking the permit that allows for legal importation of guns into the system.

“If you want to import and have acquired a license to do so, you write an application to the Hon Minister of Interior,” he said. He was concerned about the activities of gun lobbyist who support some politicians into power. This development, he thinks, if not controlled will lead to the trouble of guns in Ghana. By Ivy Osei-Owusu|editors.3news.com|Ghana