NDC's vigilante group, the Hawks

The National Commission for Small Arms has initiated processes towards disarming political party vigilante groups in the country.

The move follows the adoption of the National Peace Council’s vigilantism code of conduct by stakeholders including the commission.

The opposition NDC delayed in signing onto the document demanding the inclusion of other critical bodies such as the small arms commission.

Speaking on the Morning Starr Senior Programs Officer for the Comission Leonard Tetteh disclosed engagement would soon start with identified groups willing to surrender their weapons.

He said “so, we as a signatory to that document, our role in there is also limited to small arm proliferation and how to get small arms out of the hands of viglants. To begin any program, it is important those vigilantes understand the reason why you are embarking on this. This year and in the years to come we are beginning our sensitization and advocacy program .’

Highlighting the first phase of the process he noted “and then after you try to also to engage them to understand why they resort to these weapons and in the event that you want them to stop using weapons, what can be done for them. You do a comprehensive analysis of it and then you design a particular program that will suit each vigilante group.”

“we are beginning our part fo the process because we have signed on to that document and given assurance that we will take it up,” he added.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM