Accra, Dec. 12, GNA- Dr Richard Asiedu, Vice President of the Eminent West Africa Nobles Forum (E-WANF), has commended the government for declaring a nationwide gun amnesty from December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
Mr Asiedu said the move, which aimed at addressing illicit possession of firearms, would help prevent the loss of lives and destruction of property.
He said this at the End-of-Year Gala and Awards Night of the E-WANF in Accra.
It was on the theme: “Tribal and Chieftaincy Disputes, Violent Communal Clashes, and Festivity Killings: Whither Ghana?”
Mr Asiedu appealed to the government to financially reward persons who would comply with the directive as an incentive for greater compliance.
He said there was the urgent need for collective efforts in ensuring peace, security, and good governance for development.
“We should not allow violent attacks and killings during chieftaincy, land, and ethnic disputes and gatherings such as festivals to pose significant danger to the country’s democracy and progress,” he said.
He lauded the government for taking steps to fulfill its constitutional mandate of addressing social and economic problems to improve the well-being of the people.
He said the imposition of curfews and deployment of additional security personnel to quell violence at trouble spots did not only affect development but also drained the national budget.
Mr Asiedu cautioned power brokers against taking advantage of land and chieftaincy disputes to enhance their parochial political interest, because these occurrences could bring the country to its knees.
“Ghanaians, particularly the youth, are yearning for employment, hospitals, good roads, schools, health facilities, potable water, and not costly and deadly conflicts and disputes.
“It is no secret that some of the conflicts are heavily politicized, with both of the country’s major political parties accused of supporting rival factions, which complicates resolution efforts.
“Violence, deaths, and injuries involving civilians and security personnel as a result of disputes and conflicts do not discriminate against sex, religious group, political party, or ethnicity,” he said.
Dr Dee Otibu-Asare, the Executive Director of WANF, said since its operations in 2003, it has had over 3,000 eminent personalities across West Africa to promote integrity, accountability, and good governance.
He said the Forum over the years had preached integrity throughout the ECOWAS region and inspired hope in the younger generations.
Dr Otibu-Asare appealed to African leaders to uphold the tenets of integrity, calling for transparency and the avoidance of conflicts of interest to ensure effective governance.
The Forum launched the West Africa Centre for Nobility and Stewardship to train aspiring leaders in politics and other professions.
The Forum honoured and inducted 14 personalities for their high and personal moral integrity and contributions to national development.
Notable among them is Mr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Dramani Mahama.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie