Accra, Ghana – A 2-day workshop aimed at addressing the evolving threats posed by the illicit proliferation Advanced Conventional Weapons (ACW) and Private Military Companies (PMCs) activities in Africa has concluded successfully.
Organized by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in partnership with the Halo Trust USA Team, the event brought together representatives from security agencies across the continent, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division, and the Bureau of National Investigation. Also in attendance were representatives from institutions such as WAANSA (Ghana, Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
Executive Secretary of the Small Arms Commission, Samuel W. Yeboah, emphasized the necessity of collaborative and concerted efforts among all security agencies to effectively address the threats posed by the illicit proliferation of ACW. He highlighted the partnership between the Commission and the Halo Trust as “instrumental” in advancing their shared mission to enhance national security and ensure the safety of citizens.
“The evolving threats posed by the illicit proliferation of ACW demand the collaborative and concerted efforts of all security agencies in effectively addressing them,” Yeboah stated, urging participants to utilize the training to develop national capacities to counter cross-border proliferation of ACW and activities of insurgents and terrorist groups.
Kentura Brown, Acting Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Ghana, also addressed the participants, criticizing the lack of inter-agency cooperation and collaboration that sometimes hampers operations. She expressed her excitement over the diverse representation at the workshop and encouraged continued coordination among the agencies.
“The challenges to human security to stem illicit flows cannot be overcome solely by security measures; we need strong good governance and the aspects of inclusion and human rights,” Brown noted. She highlighted that addressing the reduction of motivations and vulnerabilities, as well as the access to weapons and illicit flows, is crucial.
The primary aim of the workshop was to develop national and regional partner capacities to counter the cross-border proliferation of ACW and private military companies (PMCs). The training sought to increase participants’ knowledge on several key areas, including:
- What constitutes ACW and where their illicit use, possession, or diversion affects human security.
- The role of PMCs in African conflicts, particularly in West Africa, and their negative effects on state control and human security.
- The link between illicit ACW and PMC activity, and its impact on human security.
As the workshop concluded, participants were equipped with enhanced knowledge and tools to tackle the pressing issues related to the illicit proliferation of ACW and the activities of PMCs, contributing to a safer and more secure Africa.
