The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to name those behind the importation of some 436 pistols and ammunition into the country, which have been impounded at the Tema Port.
In a statement signed by the NDC’s National Communication Officer Sammy Gyamfi, the party said it is aware that the consignment came in from Turkey and was “intercepted and impounded at Tema Port yesternight”.
“The pistols and ammunition, which had been concealed in a consignment of personal effects from Turkey, were found during physical examination by Custom officials at the port and taken to the Tema Harbour police station”, the party said.
The NDC said it is “informed that the weapons have been taken back to the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Long Room Armoury at the Tema Port”.
“We have picked intel that some unscrupulous persons are trying to get the weapons released.
“While we commend the Customs Excise and Preventive Service unit at Tema port for acting swiftly to impound this consignment, we demand that they update the nation on this worrying development in the spirit of transparency.
“Ghanaians deserve to know who illegally imported the said pistols and ammunition into the country and for what purpose”, the party said.
It added that: “More importantly, Ghanaians deserve to know the identity of the so-called ‘Big Men’ who are pulling strings behind the scenes to get the consignment released”.
“Given the danger that these weapons can pose to the security of the nation in the wrong hands, we humbly appeal to the media to follow this story closely. We are watching!” the statement added.