Political Analyst, Yaw Asani Tanoh, has criticised the Ghana Police Service for the arrest and potential prosecution of 26 individuals in some parts of the country over the usage of toy guns.

During an appearance on UTV on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Asani Tanoh called it unnecessary, accusing law enforcement agencies of failing to enforce compliance with laws regulating the use of toy guns and firecrackers.

He highlighted how most of these items are easily imported into the country without any scrutiny from law enforcement officers, despite existing laws prohibiting the importation of such items.

“The law enforcement issue is one of the reasons why we don’t progress as a nation. Though the arrest of persons using toy guns is in the right direction, I will say that it is unnecessary. These young men do not produce these toy guns and firecrackers but are imported into the country.

“Laws have been passed and several awareness created about the dangers of using these firecrackers and how it has caused harm to individuals and properties but why are we watching aloof and allowing these items to be imported into the country through the various forms of entries before we act? How did these toy guns enter the country? If our law enforcement were strict, I believe all these items would not find their way into the country,” he said.

Asani Tanoh emphasized that the police should focus on tackling the root cause of how these items are being imported into the country rather than arresting individuals who use them.

“In as much as the arrests are in order, I will not subscribe to the fact that they will be prosecuted and jailed. I would have expected the law enforcement agencies to rather caution and issue a statement to educate the public and make their stance known,” he advised.

Background

The Ghana Police Service apprehended 26 individuals for openly displaying and recklessly discharging toy firearms in a public area.

The suspects are currently assisting with investigations and will be put before court to face justice. Meanwhile, a quantity of toy guns have been retrieved from these suspects as part of a police investigation into the menace.

Police special operations are currently underway to arrest others involved in this act, which is becoming a trend in some parts of the country.

A statement issued by the Police Service warned the public to refrain from the act as it violates the Criminal Offences Act.

"We, hereby, caution the youth to desist from this act as it constitutes the offence of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace contrary to section 207 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), amongst others.

"We would like to once again assure the public that the Police will do all that it takes for our beloved country to continue to be at peace with herself," the statement said.

MAG/OGB

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