Accra: The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has launched a new campaign titled "Silence the Gun to Save a Life," seeking collaboration from various stakeholders to educate the public on the dangers and misuse of small arms and light weapons. According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners, focusing on establishing a "zero tolerance policy" toward the possession and use of illicit small firearms, which pose significant security threats. The campaign aims to raise awareness and curb the proliferation of these dangerous weapons. At the campaign launch in Accra, Mr Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Resident Representative, highlighted the severe social and economic consequences of arms diversion. He explained that access to illicit weapons fosters a culture of impunity and violence, which has contributed to terrorism, crime, and numerous deaths and injuries. Banerjee cited UN statistics, noting that there are approxi mately 875 million small arms and light weapons in circulation globally, with many being trafficked across porous borders, facilitating illegal activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. "These porous borders also allow trans-border networks that engage in illegal activities, undermining good governance, challenging the rule of law, and spreading insecurity among the public," Banerjee stated. He reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting governments in addressing these challenges and endorsed the "Silence the Gun to Save a Life" campaign. Mr Samuel Williams Yeboah, Executive Secretary of NACSA, echoed the urgency of addressing the dangers associated with illicit small arms. He described the campaign as a "transformational effort" that seeks to tackle the root causes of violence through awareness creation and community engagement. "Let us all commit to doing our utmost to combat the proliferation of small arms to build a safer and secure Ghana and prevent the senseless violence that can be [inf licted] on other people," he urged. Both Yeboah and Banerjee called on the public to avoid acts of violence during the upcoming December general elections, emphasizing the campaign's role in fostering a peaceful electoral process.