Kumasi: The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, has taken significant steps to educate students at Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) about the dangers and repercussions of illegally possessing small arms. This initiative is part of the Commission’s broader mission to prevent and combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons throughout the country.

According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement is timely, following recent incidents involving the retrieval of locally manufactured firearms from students in two senior high schools in the Ashanti Region, including OKESS. During the session, officials from both organizations provided students with crucial information on the legal, social, and security implications of possessing firearms without proper authorization. They stressed the importance of focusing on education and steering clear of violent or criminal activities.

Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro, the Ashanti Regional Head of the Small Arms Commission, highlighted the severe legal consequences of unauthorized gun possession. He warned that firearms in the hands of young people could result in unintended tragedies, emphasizing that even a single gun in the wrong hands could cause irreversible harm within a school environment. Mr. Oduro urged students to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities or knowledge of weapons on campus to the appropriate authorities, stating, “If we remain silent about the illegal movement of weapons, we risk becoming victims ourselves. Reporting such activities is a civic responsibility.”

Reverend Emmanuel Badu Amoah, Executive Secretary of the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, described the illicit possession of arms as a significant threat to national peace and security. He underscored the necessity of proactive education in preventing arms proliferation, especially among the youth. Rev. Amoah expressed concern over the accessibility of firearms in certain communities, noting that even children are gaining access, a dangerous trend that requires urgent attention. He pointed out that individuals under the age of 18 are legally prohibited from owning or using guns and advocated for dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution, warning that firearms only escalate violence and endanger lives.

The session also addressed Ghana’s legal framework on vigilantism and related offenses, aiming to deter students from engaging in riots or violent acts.