Security expert Professor Kwesi Aning has confirmed that a large cache of ammunition allegedly went missing from the Ministry of Defence’s armoury shortly before Akufo-Addo’s administration left office on January 7, 2025.
Prof. Aning revealed that the late Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, had personally informed him about the incident before he died in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
Dr. Boamah had earlier alleged in July that thousands of rounds of military ammunition transferred from the Ghana Armed Forces to the National Security Secretariat in 2024 could not be traced, and he subsequently directed an investigation into the matter.
Describing the situation as “deeply troubling and a potential threat to Ghana’s national security and democratic stability”, Prof. Aning said his team was conducting a comprehensive study to determine the number of weapons currently outside state control.
He warned that millions of firearms in private hands posed a danger, particularly in the lead-up to elections.
In an interview with Adom News, Prof Aning stated, “We are conducting a comprehensive study to determine the number of weapons that are currently outside state control. There are millions of firearms in private hands, and this poses a serious danger—particularly in the lead-up to elections.”
He further warned that the surge in gun-related incidents, combined with political interference in law enforcement, is steadily undermining public confidence in state institutions.
“Public officials, fearful of losing their jobs, often fail to act when political actors break the law. This weakens our institutions and jeopardises the peace we’ve worked so hard to maintain,” he said.
According to him, public officials often failed to act against political actors for fear of losing their jobs, a development he said weakened institutions and threatened peace.
He urged the government to swiftly tackle the proliferation of weapons and rebuild confidence in the country’s security architecture, warning that inaction could destabilise the nation.
“We cannot remain silent while weapons move freely and accountability weakens. The time to act is now,” he stated.
….
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
