Representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), spearheaded by the West Africa Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons (WAANSA) Ghana, have convened in Accra for a 3-day workshop aimed at enhancing advocacy and lobbying capacities for legal reforms in small arms in Ghana.
The objective of the workshop is to build capacity in order to enhance the ability of CSOs to engage with national small arms and light weapons legislation, policies, and regulations, as well as existing international, regional, and sub-regional instruments. The workshop further aims to equip civil society organizations with the necessary skills to conduct legal advocacy on small arms and lobby policymakers for the passage of the new Arms Bill into law.
Following a successful scoping mission and national stakeholders’ consultations, in which CSOs were actively involved, Ghana has commenced the implementation of interventions to address the illicit trafficking of small arms, light weapons, and improvised explosive devices. This effort takes place within the context of the increasing volatile security situation in the Sahel and neighbouring countries under the SALIENT Project, with CSOs, through WAANSA-Ghana, serving as one of the implementing partners.
Over the years, CSOs have collaborated with various stakeholders, including governmental agencies and development partners, to enhance the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Ghana. Under the auspices of WAANSA-Ghana, CSOs have been given a leading role in the Salient Fund Project to advocate for urgent legal reforms on small arms in Ghanaian law.
At the conclusion of the 3-day workshop, the CSOs are expected to develop a strategic plan for lobbying and advocacy for legal reforms in small arms and light weapons in Ghana. This will include the creation of an elaborate and sustainable communication strategy for these legal reforms.
Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) is a joint United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) & United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) initiative. The key purpose of this global project is to support countries in tackling armed violence and the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons with a development perspective and a solid gender approach.
Ghana is a beneficiary in the second phase of implementation with the current supporters of SALIENT Fund being France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland.
