The Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), Jones Borteye Applerh, has called for an urgent redress on the proliferation of firearms in the country, particularly the Ashanti Region, as the elections draw closer.
Speaking at the launch of an anti-electoral violence campaign dubbed ‘Ballots without Bullets’, he maintains that increased security alertness ahead of the 2020 polls should remain a priority.
The Ashanti Region tops the list with 635 flashpoints on the Police Service’s statement.
“I think we should do more, in as much as several security agencies are undertaking exercises in response to the vice. Because what we see in the media space gives us indications that people have weapons in Ghana”.
Mr. Applerh further advised the general public to engage in reporting threats of violence before, during, and after the elections in order to maintain peace in the country.
“What the declaration means is that, if these areas are not put under critical observation, something might happen. So the essence of this campaign is to teach Ghanaians not to be quiet, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“We are Ghanaians first before our political persuasions come in, but that shouldn’t divide us because elections are just means to selecting leaders”.
His comments follows a statement by the Ghana Police Service which identifies some 4098 areas across the country as hotspots prone to violence during the December 7, polls.
Meanwhile, The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Bossman Asare has indicated that the Commission has put in place measures to ensure a peaceful elections.
With this, the Electoral Commission will work with a special election taskforce under the leadership of the IGP to deploy security agents at all polling stations to foil any pockets of violence in the upcoming general elections.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring a peaceful election and has therefore taken extra measures in providing security at all polling stations.
“In view of this, the Commission has collaborated with the Election Security Taskforce under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carefully and adequately train security personnel to be deployed at all polling stations,” he stated.
According to the EC Deputy Chair, areas predisposed to violence have been noted and measures introduced to curb any unrest that may come up.
“Constituencies mapped with potential flashpoints or hot spots have been outlined to guide the course and agenda of ensuring peace and safety before, during and after the 2020 general election”.
He further added that depending on the intelligence received on a constituency, there would be extra security in addition to the patrol team that will be deployed by the Taskforce.
Dr. Bossman Asare said that the general public and electorates will be educated on their rights, responsibilities and offenses in the electoral laws of the state.
“Electoral offences stated in the electoral laws will be projected to the public and electorates via our official website, social media handles and our interactions with the media and educational posters”.
