Accra, - The Greater Accra Regional Police Administration today ordered the withdrawal from the market of a brand of pen-knife which it says can be injurious to life. The administration has confiscated a consignment of the super pen-knife from the market and called on Customs authorities to prevent subsequent importation of the knives. Mr Kwashivie Agbelie, Regional Police Commander, told journalists after displaying samples of the knife at a news conference in Accra, that the 'super pen knife' is an offensive weapon which can be dangerous in the hands of thugs, tricksters and armed robbers. Seventeen packets, each containing twelve knives and 178 pieces, were seized when a team of detectives backed by the regional Striking Force Unit stormed the stores of the importer, Alex Kwabena Ampadu. Some of the knives were also taken from Yaw Adjei and Kofi Poku, distributors at Okaishie in Accra last Monday, June two.

Unlike other brands of knives on the market, the super pen knife has a black, plastic 'pen' which serves as a sheath as well as a grip for a concealed three inches-long blade. It cannot be used to write anything, looks harmless and can be hooked on to the user's breast pocket like any other pen "but it is menacing when its glittering blade flicks in and out with the press of a knob". Mr Ampadu, who is director of Amplex Enterprises in Accra, told the police he imported the knives from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and that he has been in that business for about six months.

The commander stressed that the police considers the super pen-knife as an offensive weapon which threatens personal as well as public safety. He requested all persons who have already bought the knives or who possess them to surrender them to the nearest police station. "I warn that the police will arrest people who will be found to possess such dangerous items and put them before court for possessing an offensive weapon in contravention of Section 206 of Act 29 (1960)," he cautioned.

The police considers "any article made or adapted to cause injury on another person" as an offensive weapon, he said. The importer, Mr Ampadu and the two persons who received supplies from him, were arrested but have since been granted police enquiry bail pending further investigations.