The Gun Amnesty Programme Train, which has been engaging communities across the Volta Region to create awareness on the need for citizens to voluntarily surrender illicit firearms, has climaxed its regional activities with a Health Walk in Ho.
The sensitisation tour, which began on Tuesday, formed part of nationwide efforts to educate the public on the objectives and benefits of the Gun Amnesty Programme and to encourage the surrender of unauthorised firearms without fear of arrest or prosecution within the amnesty period.
The health walk, held in the early hours of Thursday, January 8, was aimed at deepening public awareness in Ho and the Volta Region at large, while demonstrating the collective commitment of state institutions and stakeholders to peace and security.
Participants in the walk included personnel from all allied security agencies, some District Chief Executives (DCEs), heads of departments from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), the Clergy, traditional leaders, members of the media, and other individuals.
Addressing participants at the end of the walk, Dr. Adam Bobaa re-echoed the urgent need for individuals in possession of illicit firearms to surrender them before the expiration of the amnesty period.
He explained that the programme was designed to reduce the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which posed serious threats to public safety and national security.
Alhaji Mohammed Avona Akape also urged all security personnel and participants to serve as ambassadors of the Gun Amnesty Programme by spreading the message in their respective communities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to ensure that all illicit firearms within the region were surrendered, adding that collective responsibility was key to the success of the initiative.
Mr. Jerry Ameko, District Chief Executive of Adaklu and Dean of Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Volta Region, said all MDCEs would intensify public education in their districts.
He noted that as heads of the Municipal and District Security Committees (MUSEC and DISEC), MDCEs would ensure the message reached every community to enable citizens to comply fully with the amnesty directive.
Heads of the various security agencies present also encouraged residents to take advantage of the amnesty window to surrender illicit firearms, warning that failure to do so could result in arrest and prosecution after the amnesty period.
The Gun Amnesty Programme is expected to contribute significantly to peacebuilding, crime prevention, and the creation of a safer environment for socio-economic development in the Volta Region and beyond.
