Africa-Press – Ghana. 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, National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, gave the assurance that the new legislation would be ready by the end of 2025, replacing its 50-yea-old regulation.
“Once it is passed, Ghana, being an oasis of peace, will galvanise the entire continent and make sure we stabilise it,” Dr Bonaa said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at the weekend.
Speaking at the end of a five-day regional train-the-trainer workshop in Accra, Dr Bonaa noted that the new legislation would be laid before Parliament at the end of May upon resumption of the next session of the House.
The strengthening Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) implementation workshop, hosted by Ghana, had nine countries participating. They were Nigeria, Cote d’Iviore, 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 marks 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 said, adding that a national control list had been submitted to Cabinet for onward submission to Parliament.
“Once it is promulgated, it gives us a bit of balls to do our work… and a lot will happen on the continent when it’s done. The regulatory framework will provide authorities with enhanced oversight capabilities regarding arms trade in the country.”
He stated that the training would enhance harmonisation 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, said many countries in West Africa were exposed to brokering, diversion, transit and transshipment on conventional arms trade because they were coastal countries.
She encouraged African countries to domesticate their legislation on ATT, to which she pledged the Secretariat’s support in implementing those laws.
Mr Johnson Asante-Twum, the Managing Director, International Action Network on Small Arms, urged Ghana not to relent on ratifying the legislation.
“The ATT should not add to the number of treaties that have not been effectively implemented but incorporate them into national legislation,” he said.
“Any delay in passing the legislation and getting Cabinet’s approval of the national control list is a dent on Ghana’s reputation. That requires an assiduous move in its implementation,” he added.
Madam Rohie Bitaaye Darboe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of The Gambia, a participant, said the skills and experience acquired during the five-day 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 universalisation and effective implementation of the treaty.
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