The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) in a demonstration of its commitment to deepening partnership with stakeholders towards effective arms control paid a strategic courtesy visit to the European Union (EU) Delegation in Ghana.
Dr. Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of the Commission met with Ms. Gisela Spreitzhofer, the EU Team Leader for Governance and Security, to discuss avenues for strengthening cooperation and leveraging EU support to tackle the proliferation of small arms in Ghana and the sub-region.
The high-level discussions centred on critical areas that will modernize Ghanaβs approach to arms control, peace, safety and security such as the development of a gun monitoring system and centralized database for arms, the procurement of advanced weapons detection systems, the marking of state and civilian owned firearms as well as the expansion of the Commissionβs presence into all the regions and border communities.
Dr. Bonaa in reiterating the Governmentβs resolve to fight the illicit proliferation and misuse of small arms in the country hinted of a possible declaration of a gun amnesty by the Hon. Minister for the Interior in the coming days. Ms. Spreitzhofer in expressing support for the yet to be declared gun amnesty also showed keen interest in the Draft Arms Bill which is currently being worked on by the Hon. Minister for the Interior.
Refreshingly, the EU delegation further indicated that its support for the Commissionβs work through the EU Project would extend beyond technical and legislative support. The proposed EU project which is expected to take off next year, will specifically back crucial community-level interventions, supporting public education campaigns and risk awareness creation programmes.
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons remains committed to working with all stakeholders and international partners to ensure that Ghana remains gun-violence-free.
