ARPC, Small Arms Commission train Kumasi blacksmiths on responsible practice and peaceful coexistence

The Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC) has partnered with the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission to organise a sensitization programme for members of the Ashanti Regional Blacksmith Association, aimed at promoting safer communities and responsible practices.

The training, held on Wednesday in Kumasi, focused on encouraging peaceful coexistence while addressing the risks associated with the illegal production, modification, and circulation of small arms.

Participants were taken through the legal and social consequences of engaging in such activities, as authorities emphasised the need for compliance with national laws.

The initiative also sought to strengthen collaboration between the Blacksmith Association, security agencies, and local authorities as part of broader efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons.

Speaking at the event, the Regional Executive Secretary of ARPC, Emmanuel Badu Amoah, underscored the importance of peace in community development.

He urged participants to play active roles in discouraging violence and to support early warning systems within their communities.

The Regional Director of the Commission, Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro, cautioned that the unlawful possession or use of weapons constitutes a serious offence in Ghana, with offenders liable to arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.

He further encouraged members to report suspicious activities linked to illegal arms.

Participants expressed their readiness to cooperate with authorities, reaffirming their commitment to responsible practices and their role as ambassadors of peace. They called for sustained education and institutional support to help them operate within the law while maintaining their livelihoods.