There are too many illegal guns in the system backing galamsey — Sophia Akuffo

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has raised alarm over the proliferation of illegal firearms in Ghana.

She noted that their use is fueling unlawful activities, including illegal small-scale mining, known well as galamsey, timber felling and smuggling.

Speaking at a conference on Maximizing the Benefits of Ghana’s Natural Resources on Tuesday, March 24, she expressed deep concern about the growing arms menace and its implications for law and order.

“There are too many illegal guns in the system backing illegal mining, illegal felling of timber, and smuggling. Everyone seems to be armed. There is a proliferation of arms, and we should also be concerned about that,” she stated.

The IEA distinguished fellow cautioned that if the situation is not addressed, the country could face dire consequences, with future generations growing up in a culture of lawlessness.

“These arms are being used to perform illegality, and we will reach a point where if we are not careful, the successive generation will become a bunch of rebels who have no idea of right and wrong,” she cautioned.

She further lamented the gradual erosion of the country’s legal framework, stressing that failure to act now could leave the nation in a state of anarchy.

“All that we are doing is allowing the framework of law and order in our country to be chipped away till one day we find out that we are standing on air because everyone is engaged in illegality,” she added.