Small Arms Commission condemns secessionist groups

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCSALW) has condemned the recent activities of some secessionist groups in the Western Togoland impasse, saying armed violence does not settle any conflict.

The Commission says the secessionists could have resorted to the use of proper channels to have their issues or grievances addressed if justified, rather than resorting to chaos and creating tension and panic in the Volta Region.

“The blocking of roads, attack on a police station and officers; seizing of police weapons, burning of properties among other unlawful acts by the secessionist groups do not demonstrate any good intentions that should attract any public sympathy or yield any positive results in their quest for their demands.

“Holding the country’s security agencies to ransom and subjecting state institutions to ridicule by disarming and assaulting a District Police Commander are not actions that must be encouraged.

“As a Commission that concerns itself with issues bordering on small arms and light weapons, including gun violence, we wish to reiterate that it is peaceful dialogue together with level headedness and patience that does.”

These were contained in a statement signed by the Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, Board Chairman of the NCSALW.

Mr Frimpong-Manso said the unfortunate activities of the secessionist groups only go to show how aggressive they are in their demands, without any considerations for the wellbeing of the country and their fellow human beings.

“The activities of these groups are very alarming and heart breaking, because for over half a century now, we have been living together as one people and a nation with one destiny. Such violent acts only depict insensitivity to the national cause, and total disregard for human lives and properties.”

The Board Chairman said that the country will head to the polls in just two months, and it is paramount Ghanaians put their safety and security first. “The last thing we need, as a people with one destiny, is to create fear and panic. We do not have to arm ourselves as individuals or groups, kill and maim one another, destroy properties and engage in other unlawful activities, just because of some grievances, whether or not those grievances are justified.

“As Ghanaians, and as one people, we need to learn to live in harmony, sit around the table to dialogue on our concerns, and not use guns or resort to violence means in settling any differences. A country that settles her misunderstandings with violence and guns does not have any future and cannot leave any hope for her children and generations yet unborn.”

He urged the secessionist groups to use all lawful avenues available in seeking redress to whatever grievances they might have for a win-win situation. This is because resorting to violence makes all of us losers. In fact, armed violence or any form of violence would rather worsen the situation than advance their cause,” Mr Frimpong said.

The Board Chairman also called on the security agencies and authorities to expedite action in fashioning out a lasting solution to this unfortunate situation before it is too late.

He said he believed that the security agencies would continue to perform their duties with the requisite professionalism and ensure high alertness in keeping the Volta Region and its citizens safe.

Mr Frimpong-Manso commended the security agencies for the good work which led to the discovery of the police weapons taken from the Aveyime Police Station by the secessionist group.

He also commended the media for its relatively fair and objective reportage, while encouraging it to continue to exercise circumspection in reporting matters of such security magnitude.

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