Ghana: Police Take Measures To Control Proliferation of Arms GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION RADIO 1 Thursday, September 21, 2000 The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Peter Nanfuri, has directed that with immediate effect all persons in possession of firearms should re-register them. The IGP stated this at a news conference in accra today, where he spelt out measures to control the proliferation of arms in the country. Ben Alaglo and Roland Walker have filed this report: (Begin Alaglo recording) The news conference was called to throw light on the report by the Arms and Ammunition Inventory Committee and measures taken by the police administration to reverse the upsurge of the use of arms and ammunition in criminal activities. The IGP admitted that there are some lapses in the system which have resulted in smuggling of large quantities of arms and ammunition out of the country. In view of this, (he says) his administration has taken certain measures which include the setting up of an independent inspection of armories and magazines in the country. Dealers and purchasers of arms and ammunition will be required to fill forms with pictures affixed on them. They are also obliged to provide information on serial numbers of arms and quantity of ammunition purchased and particulars of dealers and purchasers. Mr. Nanfuri emphasized that the freeze on the importation of shotguns and cartridges is still in force. The ban on the sale of the present stock of ammunition has however been lifted and sales are to be conducted under strict supervision. He appealed to the public to give information to the police on people with illegal possession of arms. On the serial killings the IGP disclosed that a number of arrests have been made and the public will be duly be informed after thorough investigations are over