Togbe Anikpi III, Dufia of Ho Heve has appealed to the government, through the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission, to consider extending the ongoing Grand Amnesty on small arms and ammunition to enable more people to comply with the exercise.

He made the call when a delegation from the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission paid a courtesy call on the Asogli Traditional Area as part of a regional sensitisation tour in the Volta Region.

Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief and the traditional authorities, Togbe Anikpi III commended the delegation for observing custom by paying a courtesy call on the traditional rulers before undertaking official business in the area. He noted that such engagements were necessary since traditional authorities remain the custodians and “landlords” of the communities.

Togbe Anikpi III said although the Commission and the government had announced the Grand Amnesty, many residents still lacked adequate information about the details of the exercise. He observed that while people were aware that the amnesty was underway, very few understood the processes involved, especially as the deadline was reportedly set around January 15.

According to the Traditional leader, there were many households within the region, and indeed across the country, that possessed firearms and ammunition, some of which were unregistered or had expired registrations. He described the amnesty as a good opportunity for such individuals either to surrender their weapons voluntarily or to regularise their ownership and retain them legally.

Togbe Anikpi however, expressed concern that the public education campaign had not reached the grassroots as expected. He suggested that the Commission should intensify its sensitisation efforts by working closely with the Information Services Department, deploying information vans in communities, and using local FM radio stations to disseminate messages widely, especially in the early mornings when residents are most likely to listen.

He further drew attention to the use of firearms during major funerals and masquerade displays, a practice he said many people wrongly assumed to be lawful. Togbe Anikpi III stressed the need for the Commission to educate the public that the use of firearms in such circumstances, without proper authorisation, remains illegal.

He described the remaining period as too short, particularly for traditional rulers and other lawful gun owners who might want to regularise their weapons. He therefore appealed to the Commission to engage the Interior Minister with a view to extending the deadline to the end of January or even into February to allow wider participation.

He noted that illicit small arms continued to fuel armed robbery and other crimes across the country. According to him, ensuring that weapons are surrendered or properly registered would help security agencies trace firearms used in criminal activities and enhance public safety.

Togbe Anikpi III commended the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission for the initiative and pledged the support of the traditional authorities in sensitising their people. He expressed hope that by the end of the Commission’s engagement in the Volta Region, residents would be adequately informed and encouraged to take full advantage of the amnesty.

The courtesy call formed part of the Commission’s outreach programme aimed at engaging traditional leaders and local stakeholders to ensure the success of the national small arms amnesty exercise.