Ghana: Interior Ministry issues statement on arms, ammunition GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION RADIO 1 Thursday, March 15, 2001 The Ministry of Interior says all forms and nature of dealing arms and ammunition, including possession and export, are governed strictly by statutory enactment. A statement signed by the sector minister, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, reminds the public that no person in Ghana shall purchase, import, possess, own, or transfer any arms and ammunition without the permission of the minister or the IGP (inspector general of police) as the case may be. He said a lawful owner cannot transfer his or her firearm without the permission of the IGP. Members of the armed services and security agencies, who issue weapons to their personnel for official duties do so in accordance with the official regulation since such weapons cannot be converted to become personal weapons. Furthermore, if a permit to possess a weapon is not renewed, or renewal is refused under the regulation, the owner of any such weapon is required to surrender it to the police immediately. The statement said in recent times, the police has come across civilians in possession of weapons covered by permits typed or written on all sorts paper. According to the statement, the signatures of the persons issuing such permits cannot either be identified, or the offices which issue such permits recognized. The statement therefore advises the person in possession of weapons not covered by permits issued by the police in accordance with the relevant enactment referred to, should surrender them immediately to the nearest police station. Moreover, private permits purported to have been issued to civilians, military, police, personnel, and personnel of any other security agencies by any officials of the previous government were illegal in the first instance and are still illegal. The statement says the grace period of seven days with effect from the 19th of this month is offered to allow persons in possession of weapons not covered by police permits as stated earlier to surrender them to the police or the military.