A Ghanaian security analyst on Thursday urged authorities to check the increasing demand for and circulation of small arms and light weapons in the country, saying the proliferation is threatening peace and stability of West Africa.

"The increase in the acquisition and use of guns by civilians continues to be a threat to the peace of Ghana and the sub-region, " Justin Bayor, a coordinator of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), told Xinhua.

According to a 2004 baseline survey by the WANEP, a leading regional peace-building organization, there were between 120,000 and 400,000 small arms and light weapons in circulation in Ghana, with only 95,000 of them registered.

The WANEP expert said the situation is due to the ineffectiveness of the police and immigration officials, and the influx of combatants from the restive neighbor of Cote d'Ivoire.

Bayor called on Ghana's security agencies to be vigilant at the borders and urged the public to tip the police on gun sales and manufacturing information.

The overflow of small arms and light weapons has troubled West Africa over the past 20 years due to frequent conflicts. Statistics show that the number of young people in possession of firearms is increasing, which has instigated gunshots, armed robberies and other criminal activities in the region.

Ghanaian legislators are under mounting pressure to pass more specific laws on gun-holding qualifications.