In arms’ way

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) affiliated with the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Ghana) are meeting in Abokobi to…

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) affiliated with the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Ghana) are meeting in Abokobi to call for an urgent review of Ghana’s small arms and light weapons law. Supported by the United Nations’ Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Project, this initiative aims to combat armed violence and illicit arms trafficking in Ghana. The event brings together the Ghanaian government and non-state actors to promote security and development. During the session, CSOs will develop a strategic plan to advocate for legal reforms targeting lawmakers, law enforcement, and parliamentarians to curb small arms proliferation and enhance public safety.

A recent update from Ghana’s Interior Ministry indicates that about 10 areas, including Bawku, Nkwanta and Chereponi, are under curfew due to prolonged ethnic conflicts, resulting in gun violence and the illicit flow of small arms. Despite the pressing need, a review of Ghana’s law controlling small arms and light weapons has been delayed for too long. Experts warn that the surge in violence is closely tied to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, particularly in the northern regions of the country. The number of small arms and light weapons in circulation has nearly doubled, increasing by almost 92% from 1.2 million in 2021 to two million by the end of 2022, and reaching a current record high of 2.3 million. This is a disturbing trend, considering that the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections are less than six months away. Alarmingly, nearly 50% of these weapons cannot be adequately traced, raising serious concerns about their origins and distribution. The issue is particularly severe in towns with prevalent chieftaincy disputes, such as Bawku, a border town and major gateway to Burkina Faso. In Bawku, these weapons fuel longstanding conflicts, which extend beyond ethnic misunderstandings to encompass political influence and the illicit arms trade. The situation has become increasingly complex, even attracting terror attacks, making it difficult to address effectively. Beyond conflicts, the proliferation of small arms has also contributed to bullion van attacks. Although the number of reported bullion van attacks has decreased this year, the rampant attacks post-pandemic resulted in the deaths of both armed police personnel and civilians, as well as significant sums of money being stolen. The rise in small arms and light weapons is not unique to Ghana. ECOWAS estimates suggest that the West African bloc houses about 10% of the 100 million small arms and weapons circulating in Africa. This trend poses a substantial threat to regional stability, particularly as democracy faces challenges with postponed elections and an increase in coups and terror attacks across the sub-region. While Ghana’s fourth republic has generally experienced peaceful transitions of power, the upcoming presidential election, marked by heightened tensions between former President John Mahama and current Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, indicates that the country is not entirely immune to election-related violence.