WAANSA-Ghana rallies CSOs to support the passage of the Small Arms Commission Bill

The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Ghana) has called on civil society organizations desirous of a country free of arms to support a series of activities towards the passage of the National Small Arms Commission Bill 2023 into law.

Mr. Ken Kinney, the WAANSA-Ghana President who made the call, stressed that Ghana has struggled to stop the spread of small guns and light weapons, which has fuelled violence, insecurity, and breaches of human rights.

He said the amendments aim to encourage responsible ownership and usage, improve enforcement, and reinforce the law.

Mr. Kinney stated this at the on-going three-day capacity-building session for civil society organisations connected to WAANSA-Ghana in Abokobi, near Accra, on the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Project.

The objectives of the session are to design a long-term communication plan, formulate a comprehensive lobbying and advocacy strategy for legal reforms, and release a statement demanding immediate action.

Ghana is the third African country to benefit from the first phase of the SALIENT Trust fund, which is being spearheaded by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The WAANSA-Ghana President emphasised the need for CSOs and experts on small arms and light weapons to work together to create a strategic plan that will enable the CSOs to engage in targeted advocacy and lobbying efforts, with a particular focus on key stakeholders such as policymakers, law enforcement, and parliament.

Mr. Kinney stressed the need for the passage of the bill into law to regulate small guns and light weapons in Ghana, explaining the necessity of more robust regulation, better enforcement, and responsible ownership and use.

He said the idea to support Ghana to deal with arms governance issues through the Saving-Lives Entity (SALIENT) Project began in 2023 among the UN agencies on disarmament and development, UNODA and UNDP, respectively, and Ghana was supportive of the idea.

This was followed by a series of online consultations in which WAANSA Ghana participated, having been chosen as the CSO's implementing partner from September 2023.

The Ghana SALIENT Project has three components: national-level awareness of small arms implications, research, advocacy, and lobbying for the passage of the Arms Commission Bill into law.

Meanwhile, Dr. Edward Fokuoh Ampratwum, PhD, Governance Specialist and Governance and Inclusive Growth Lead at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has emphasized the need for Ghana to review its arms control laws to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

Dr. Ampratwum highlighted the lack of effective regulatory systems for small arms and light weapons as a fundamental obstacle to peace, security, and development in West Africa.

He noted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons fuels civil wars, organized criminal violence, insurgency, and terrorist activities, posing significant obstacles to sustainable security and development.

Dr. Ampratwum commended Ghana for establishing the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in 2007 but expressed concern that the commission's mandate is limited to advising the Minister on small arms and light weapons-related issues instead of being a regulatory body.

In a related development, the West Africa Network of Journalists for Security and Development (WANJSD) has called on the government of Ghana to expedite action towards the passage of the National Small Arms Commission Bill.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, General Secretary of WANJSD, who made the call, noted that Ghana's present regulations on small arms and light weapons are insufficient and have led to the spread of these weapons throughout the nation.

The WANJSD General Secretary made the call on the fringes of the ongoing capacity-building workshop for civil society organisations affiliated with the WAANSA-Ghana in Abokobi, near Accra.

Mr. Ameyibor pointed out that a rise in violent crimes, insecurity, and violations of human rights has resulted from easy access to small arms and light weapons.

"The current laws are weak and have failed to address the issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Ghana," Ameyibor stated. "We are calling on the government to review the laws and ensure that they are robust and effective in regulating the possession and use of small arms and light weapons."

Mr. Ameyibor, who is also the Executive Director of Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), stressed the importance of stakeholders joining the campaign for a review of the legislation, which includes civil society organisations, the media, and the general public.

He stated that the proliferation of light and small arms in Ghana is a problem that calls for cooperation from all parties.

"The review of the laws is a critical step towards addressing the issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Ghana," Ameyibor stated. "We urge all stakeholders to join us in this campaign and ensure that the laws are reviewed and strengthened."

The WANJSD call is being made at a time when violent crimes, such as kidnapping and armed robberies, are on the rise in Ghana. One important factor contributing to this trend has been identified as the easy access to small arms and light weapons.

The SALIENT project is being implemented in Ghana by WAANSA-Ghana, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre.

SALIENT is integrated into multisectoral platforms and initiatives that have been created over the past 20 years by UNDP, UNODA, and other UN bodies. These initiatives highlight the necessity of multisectoral methods for combating armed violence as well as the control of small arms and ammunition.

Additionally, the project aims to support ongoing efforts by UN and non-UN organisations engaged in border control, law enforcement, and crime prevention.