The Interior Ministry is mapping out strategies to retrieve all illegal weapons in the possession of citizens as the November general election inches closer.

Interior Minister, Prosper Bani, said the immediate focus will be to provide alternative livelihood for local manufacturers of small arms to put an end to the supply of arms in the country.

Mr Bani disclosed this to Joynews over the weekend as the Ministry in collaboration with the Small Arms Commission set thousands of assault ablaze rifles and other weapons seized from individuals in the country over the months.

Proliferation of locally manufactured weaponry has raised serious security concerns especially elections draw closer.

Security experts have implored the government to find a way of dealing with the issue before it gets out of hand.

The government has vowed to deal with anyone found in possession of arms with the aim of stamping out cases of illegal possession of arms in the country.

Mr Bani assured Ghanaians that “the government has put in the efforts to effectively combat the illicit trade in small firearms.”

He encouraged the public to complement the efforts of government by volunteering information on persons who are in possession of arms in the country.

“We, therefore, wish to urge all persons residing in Ghana to contribute to government’s efforts in this endeavor by volunteering information on criminals and people who possess small arms in the country,” he said.

Though the government agrees an alternative means of income for the local artisans who manufacture the arms would be the best way forward, Mr Bani revealed a conclusion has not been reached yet on the nature of the business.

“There have been a lot of suggestions on the nature of the business which the government and the artisans are considering,” he added.