CSOs demand immediate passage of the National Small Arms Bill

The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Ghana) on Wednesday called on the government to immediately reactivate the processes towards the passage of the National Small Arms Bill.

The president of WAANSA-Ghana, Mr Ken Kenny, stated in an interview that Ghana has struggled to stop the spread of small guns and light weapons, which have fuelled violence, insecurity, and breaches of human rights.

Mr Kinney noted that the tenets of the Bill aim to encourage responsible ownership and usage, improve enforcement, and reinforce the law. "The processes for the passage have stalled for a long time; we need action from government immediately.”

The WAANSA Ghana President said the network is reactivating its advocacy through the mobilisation of CSOs and experts on small arms and light weapons to work together to create a strategic force to engage in targeted advocacy and lobbying efforts, with a particular focus on key stakeholders such as lawmakers, law enforcement, and parliament.

He said even though WAANSA Ghana had engaged these strategic stakeholders in the past, “we need to reinvigorate engagement and advocacy to ensure that the issues of the National Small Arms Bill are back onto the front pages of policymakers."

He said WAANSA Ghana is working around the clock with other partners to empower media to serve as front-line soldiers towards the demand for the passage of the bill.

WAANSA-Ghana emphasises the necessity of more robust regulation, better enforcement, and responsible ownership and use.

He reaffirms commitment to support state and non-state actors to tackle the problem of small arms and light weapon control in the country.

Mr Kinney noted that the bill, when passed, would address armed violence and illicit small arms and light weapons trafficking, emphasising a comprehensive approach to sustainable security and development.

He said recent global developments underscore the urgent need to develop a robust strategy to safeguard sustainable development gains and address the menace of small arms proliferation.

WAANSA Ghana reiterated the urgent need to upscale efforts towards the passage of the National Small Arms Bill into law to provide the necessary tools and mechanisms to effectively regulate the possession and transfer of small arms and light weapons.

Mr Kenny emphasised the need for CSOs to work together to put pressure on the Executive, Parliament, policymakers, and stakeholders to take urgent action to address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Ghana.

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