The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), has paid a courtesy call on Ya-Na Abukari (II), Overlord of Dagbon, as part of the Silence the Gun and Save a Life Campaign.
The campaign, which is in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, sought to promote a gun-violence-free, peaceful and secure Ghana before, during and after this year’s general elections.
It was also to influence a behavioural and attitudinal change on small arms’ abuse to enhance and complement efforts of other key stakeholders in ensuring sustainable peace and security across the country.
Mr Leonard Tetteh, Project Coordinator, Silence the Gun and Save a Life Campaign, speaking during the courtesy call on the Ya-Na at the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi, emphasised the need to collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that guns were not abused and did not affect the development of the country.
He said: “It is our mandate to advocate and sensitise various citizens in collaboration with our traditional and religious leaders to urge them not to resort to the use of guns in settling scores.”
He urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to add their voices to the campaign to talk to their subjects and followers to embrace dialogue instead of using guns in settling matters.
He said: “We should not let guns destroy our peace. In areas where we are enjoying peace, we want to maintain the peace by ensuring that guns and their ammunition are not abused by citizens.”
Ya-Na Abukari II, commended NACSA for the initiative, saying it would go a long way to support the development of the country.
He emphasised that “Once there is peace, there will be development but once there is no peace, there is no way we can get development. You have come to complement my efforts on peace. Therefore, you have my blessings and my support throughout this campaign.”
The team also visited other traditional and religious leaders in the region, who also pledged their support for the campaign, as well as engaged some members of the public as part of the campaign.
Source: GNA
