A security consultant, Prof Kwesi Aning has raised alarm over the growing sophistication of firearms entering Ghana, particularly during election years.

He believes that this signals an increased demand for military-grade weapons.

This follows the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) intercepting a 40-foot container at the Tema Port containing a concealed cache of firearms and ammunition.

The container, numbered MEDU4496951 and shipped from the United States, was found to hold 53 pistols, 74 magazines, and 65 live rounds of ammunition hidden within suitcases.

• Read also: 53 pistols, 74 magazines, live rounds uncovered at Tema Port

In an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Wednesday, Mr Aning said every electoral year since the beginning of the Fourth Republic has witnessed a surge in the inflow of small arms into the country.

However, prosecutions for illegal firearm possession remain minimal, with little to no accountability for those arrested, undermining deterrence efforts.

Additionally, he pointed to the sophistication of weapons seized in recent years, emphasizing that criminal elements are increasingly acquiring military-grade firearms.

He attributed this to the influence of powerful backers and a lack of sustained attention on the issue.

"So this particular container and the criminality around the use of false identification and the types of guns shows that the appetite for more sophisticated military-grade guns is on the increase because people know they would go scot-free.

"They are well connected. They have godfathers that protect them and we will make the hullabaloo and tomorrow, something will happen then we will all forget about it,” he said.

The security expert also expressed concern about the broader regional context, with West Africa experiencing significant shifts in arms flows over the past decade.

The consultant referenced findings from research conducted in the last decade noting that around 2 million unregistered guns were uncovered in Ghana.

He stressed that while the current situation may seem small compared to the broader West African arms crisis, "it remains a serious concern for Ghana’s security", particularly in light of rising violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel.