Civil Society Organizations Call for Urgent Review of Ghana’s Small Arms Legislation
Tamale, Ghana, Civil society organizations are intensifying calls for an urgent review of Ghana’s laws governing small arms and light weapons, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations, better enforcement, and responsible ownership.
This call was made during a capacity-building and advocacy workshop organized in Tamale by the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-Ghana), with support from the UNDP Salient Fund. The event brought together media professionals and key stakeholders working in the field of arms control and peacebuilding.
Participants
The workshop focused on equipping participants with the tools and strategies to advocate for legal reforms. It also highlighted the need to update Ghana’s existing legislation to address the rising concerns of arms trafficking and the proliferation of small arms across the country.
“This advocacy will awaken key stakeholders such as lawmakers, law enforcers, and Parliament to do the needful,” said Ken Kinney, President of WAANSA. “Civil society organizations and the media must lead the charge in pushing for reform to ensure a safer Ghana.”
Participants seated
The initiative is a collaborative effort among WAANSA-Ghana, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and various UN agencies, including UNDP. Together, they aim to support both government and non-state actors in the fight against illegal arms circulation and to promote peace and security nationwide.
President of WAANSA-Ghana, Ken Kinney
Participants were urged to develop focused advocacy plans to push for immediate legislative action, reinforcing the urgency of reforming Ghana’s small arms laws.
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