Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Deputy Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, has called for stricter gun control measures at traditional ceremonies following a fatal shooting during an enskinment event in Nungua.
The incident occurred on February 26, 2025, during the enskinment of Lawrencia Naa Borley Nelson, also known as Naa Gamu, as the Queen of the Ga-Adangme Muslim Union (Nungua West). Naa Borley Nelson was accidentally shot in the leg by a musketeer during the ceremony, which ultimately led to her death.
Speaking during her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah emphasized the need for improved safety protocols at such events to prevent future tragedies.
“Where traditional programmes are held, there is often some form of shooting, but these events should only involve gunpowder, not live bullets,” she said. “As we have learned, a live bullet was used at this programme, which is unacceptable.”
Madam Sowah suggested that the Ministry of Local Government will collaborate with the Ministry of the Interior to ensure that events involving firearms have proper security measures in place, including the use of police-issued bullets or the presence of security personnel at such functions.
Source:TheDotNews