The proliferation of small arms in Ghana poses a grave threat to national security, public safety, and sustainable development, demanding urgent and comprehensive action. Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir VIII, Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area, has voiced his concern about this growing menace and called for swift passage of the National Small Arms Bill 2023. This legislation aims to regulate the possession, manufacture, and sale of small arms, thus mitigating the risks of armed violence and fostering a culture of peace within the nation. Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII commends the efforts of organizations like the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA Ghana) and their partners, including the UN Resident Coordinator and agencies like UNDP and UNODC, in their collaborative work on the Saving Lives Entity Fund Project (SALIENT). This project, implemented in partnership with the National Commission for Small Arms and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), aims to integrate small arms control into development frameworks.
Recognizing the influential role of traditional leaders within Ghanaian society, Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII emphasizes their critical role in advocating for the passage of the National Small Arms Bill. He urges traditional rulers to leverage their respected positions and the trust they command to mobilize support from key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society organizations, and local communities. These leaders possess a unique platform to amplify the importance of the bill, reach a wider audience, and generate the momentum needed for its enactment. The engagement of traditional rulers, alongside other stakeholders like the media and duty bearers, by organizations such as WAANSA Ghana, can significantly enhance the credibility of advocacy efforts and foster trust among key players in the process.
The advocacy efforts must extend to the grassroots level, where traditional rulers can mobilize their subjects and local communities to support the passage of the National Small Arms Bill. This grassroots engagement will create a groundswell of demand for action, further strengthening the push for effective legislation. The SALIENT project, as a UN funding facility within the Peacebuilding Fund, offers a valuable resource for supporting states in tackling the multifaceted issue of armed violence and the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of armed violence and integrates small arms control into broader sustainable security and development strategies.
Ghana’s implementation of interventions to combat the illicit trafficking of small arms, light weapons, and improvised explosive devices is crucial in addressing the volatile security situation in the Sahel region and neighboring countries. The SALIENT project plays a critical role in supporting these efforts, particularly by empowering WAANSA-Ghana to lead advocacy for urgent legal reforms on small arms in Ghana. This includes ensuring a comprehensive understanding of proposed national legislation, policies, and regulations, and their alignment with existing international, regional, and sub-regional instruments.
A vital component of this process involves capacity building for civil society organizations (CSOs). These organizations will play a crucial role in promoting the understanding of the roles of duty bearers in national small arms legislation, policies, and regulations, as well as the importance of adherence to international, regional, and sub-regional instruments. By equipping CSOs with the necessary knowledge and understanding, the SALIENT project strengthens their capacity to effectively advocate for comprehensive and impactful legal reforms.
The collaborative efforts of traditional leaders, government bodies, international organizations, and civil society organizations are crucial in addressing the complex challenge of small arms proliferation. By working together, these stakeholders can push for effective legislation, raise public awareness, and implement concrete measures to curb the flow of illicit weapons. This multifaceted approach is essential for fostering a more secure and peaceful Ghana and contributing to stability within the wider West African region. The ultimate goal is to create a society where small arms no longer pose a threat to human security and sustainable development. The passage of the National Small Arms Bill is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
