26th March 2026, Bundase Training Camp, Ghana – A significant step toward strengthening Ghanaβs national stockpile management was marked with the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern armoury at the Army Peace Operations Training School in Bundase. The project is being facilitated by NACSA in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces with funding and technical support from the United States Government and The HALO Trust respectively. The event brought together key stakeholders from the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Ghana Armed Forces, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, The HALO Trust and international partners underscoring a shared commitment to responsible weapons and ammunition management in Ghana.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Gbetanu described the project as a major milestone in the continued development of the military. The facility, which will include an armoury, a workshop and an armourerβs office is expected to significantly enhance the safe storage, maintenance and accountability of state-held weapons. He emphasised that the initiative reflects not only institutional progress within the Armed Forces but also Ghanaβs broader commitment to security sector reforms, effective arms control and sustained contributions which support international peace.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam A. A. Bonaa highlighted the strategic importance of the new armoury in addressing the risks associated with poorly secured stockpiles. He noted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a pressing global and regional challenge often exacerbated by gaps in storage and management systems.
Mr. James Scott, Programme Manager for Weapons and Ammunition Management for Coastal West Africa at The HALO Trust indicated that this project marks the first armoury construction of its kind in Ghana by The HALO Trust. Mr. Scott also expressed optimism that this will not be the last as he shared expectations of additional projects in the pipeline that will further strengthen national capacity in weapons and ammunition management.
Dr. Bonaa stated that the construction of the armoury at Bundase represents a proactive and preventive approach to arms control. By ensuring that weapons and ammunition within state custody are securely stored, properly accounted for and effectively managed, the risk of diversion and illicit proliferation can be significantly reduced. He later stressed that such infrastructure is essential not only for enhancing safety and accountability but also for reinforcing public confidence in national security institutions.
The ceremony also highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing national and regional security objectives. Over the past four years, The HALO Trust with support from the United States Government has contributed to capacity building within the Ghana Armed Forces through specialised training, weapons marking and the destruction of obsolete munitions. Ongoing and planned initiatives including the assessment and refurbishment of explosive storage facilities in northern Ghana further demonstrate the depth of this collaboration.
Dr. Bonaa intimated that the construction of this new armoury aligns with the Commissionβs broader efforts to strengthen Ghanaβs arms control framework including plans to establish an Arms Marking and Destruction Centre which will also have amouries for the secure storage of weapons earmarked for destruction. These interventions collectively represent a comprehensive lifecycle approach to weapons and ammunition management from acquisition and storage to tracking and eventual disposal.
As the soil was turned symbolically to commence construction, stakeholders reaffirmed their collective responsibility to ensure that the facility once completed is maintained to the highest standards so as to serve as a model of best practice in Ghana and across the region. The project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strong collaboration, shared vision and sustained commitment to peace and security.