Accra: Ghana has indicated its readiness to become a continental leader in responsible arms trade regulation as it advances with a new legal framework currently in a governmental approval process. Dr. Adam Alhassan Bonaa, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, assured that the new legislation would be ready by the end of 2025, replacing its 50-year-old regulation. “Once it is passed, Ghana, being an oasis of peace, will galvanize the entire continent and make sure we stabilize it,” Dr. Bonaa said in an interview.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Bonaa spoke at the end of a five-day regional train-the-trainer workshop in Accra, noting that the new legislation would be laid before Parliament at the end of May upon resumption of the next session of the House. The workshop aimed at strengthening Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) implementation, hosted by Ghana, had nine countries participating, including Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The treaty, which came into force on 24 December 2014, is a global initiative aimed at supporting state parties in implementing regulatory actions to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms. It represents the beginning of ratification and an improvement in the country’s existing regulatory framework on conventional arms trade.
“This is to essentially prevent the diversion of arms into the illicit marketplace, contributing to global peace, security, and stability,” Dr. Bonaa stated, adding that a national control list had been submitted to Cabinet for onward submission to Parliament. He emphasized that the regulatory framework would provide authorities with enhanced oversight capabilities regarding arms trade in the country.
He also noted that the training would enhance harmonization across the continent, adding: “Ghana will get to know what Nigeria is doing when it comes to dealing in arms or importation, and destruction of arms as well as stockpiles and diversions.”
Ms. Carina Solmirano, the Head of ATT Secretariat, Geneva, highlighted the exposure of many West African countries to brokering, diversion, transit, and transshipment on conventional arms trade due to their coastal nature. She encouraged African countries to domesticate their legislation on ATT, pledging the Secretariat’s support in implementing those laws.
Mr. Johnson Asante-Twum, the Managing Director of the International Action Network on Small Arms, urged Ghana not to relent on ratifying the legislation, stressing the importance of incorporating the ATT into national legislation to avoid ineffective implementation.
Madam Rohie Bitaaye Darboe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of The Gambia, expressed that the skills and experience acquired during the training would enhance ratification of the ATT on the continent. She pledged her country’s commitment to working closely with other countries in the region to share experiences and best practices to promote universalization and effective implementation of the treaty.