Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday expressed concerns over the abuse of the country's coat of arms and called on the Government to take immediate action to safeguard the sanctity of the national emblem.

In his statement, Hon Aidoo described the coat of arms as a ''symbol of precious official and executive value and that, nothing should be done to cheapen its importance as a special national heraldic device.''

He observed that, though the Flag and Arms Protection Act 1959 (No.61) makes it an offense to use the design of the national emblems without license. it is common to see the national coat of arms embossed on all manner of vehicles ,motorbikes ,as well as customised goods.

He alleged that, T-shirts and customised items embossed with the coat of arms are being sold on the internet and called on the security agencies to sit up and take steps to stop the illegality.

Contributing to the statement, Minister for Communication, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, assured that, Government will take appropriate steps to restrict the use of such national emblems and ensure that, it is only used by authorised institutions.

He suggested that, Ghanaians should be educated on restrictions associated with usage of national emblems since they may use them out of ignorance and love for the country.

Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Hon Papa Owusu Ankomah, also described the coat of arms as an embodiment of the nation which should not be used carelessly and called on the Minister for Justice and Attorney General and the Minister for Interior to take action and restrict its use.

The coat of arms of Ghana, designed by Amon Kotei, was introduced on 4th March, 1957, by Queen Elizabeth II and it is composed of a shield, divided into four quarters by a green St. George's cross, rimmed with gold.

Before its adoption, the British colony used only a badge showing an elephant before a palm tree, identical to Sierra Leone and Gambia, but with the letters GC for Gold Coast, the colonial name of Ghana.

Source: ISD (Gilbert Ankrah))

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