The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has successfully commemorated the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament for the first time in the history of the Commission, marking a major institutional milestone in advancing women’s inclusion in peacebuilding, disarmament and security efforts in Ghana.
Held under the theme, “ Women and Girls as Agents of Peace and Disarmament: From Awareness to Action for a Peaceful and Gun-Violence-Free Ghana ,” the Women and Girls Empowerment Seminar which was held on Friday, May 22nd, 2026 brought together government officials, traditional authorities, allied security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, students, women leaders and media practitioners for a powerful national engagement on the role of women in promoting peace and preventing violence.
The event formed part of NACSA’s growing commitment to integrating gender perspectives into arms control programming while creating practical platforms that empower women and girls to become active advocates for peace, mediation, violence prevention and community safety.
Delivering the Welcome Address, Dr. Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of the Commission, underscored the importance of collective responsibility in addressing illicit arms proliferation and promoting peaceful coexistence within communities. He emphasised that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without stronger public participation, awareness creation and the active involvement of women.
The keynote address was delivered on behalf of Her Excellency Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and Member of Parliament for Krowor Constituency, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
In her address, the Minister emphasised the need to intentionally create opportunities for women and girls to participate confidently in governance, peacebuilding, mediation, advocacy, disarmament and national development.
“We must continue to create clear pathways that enable women and girls to participate confidently in governance, disarmament, peacebuilding, mediation, advocacy and national development,” she stated.
She further reaffirmed Government’s commitment to promoting women’s empowerment, strengthening social cohesion, protecting vulnerable populations, and advancing sustainable peacebuilding and disarmament initiatives across the country.
Representing the Minister for the Interior, Mrs. Doreen Annan, Chief Director of the Ministry, highlighted the importance of ensuring that women’s participation in peacebuilding and disarmament efforts goes beyond symbolic representation thus translating into meaningful involvement and impact.
“Women’s participation in peacebuilding and disarmament must be meaningful, not symbolic,” she emphasised.
Mrs. Annan further reiterated Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its legal and institutional framework for arms control in line with international and regional instruments including the ECOWAS Convention, the Arms Trade Treaty, the UN Firearms Protocol, and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The Head of NACSA’s Gender Desk, Mame-Abena Marfoa Attafuah, delivered a comprehensive overview on the proliferation of small arms and its impact on women, families, and communities encouraging stronger awareness creation and women-led participation in disarmament and violence prevention efforts.
One of the defining features of the seminar was its practical and community-centered approach to peacebuilding discussions which speaking on the normalised contribution of women especially Queen mothers of the various traditional areas in peacebuilding, Mrs. Theodora Williams Anti, Executive Director of FOSDA, commended their contributions to communal peace and security.
Conversations focused not only on
policy and security concerns, but also on lived experiences, prevention strategies, communication, reporting pathways, and the everyday role women play in sustaining peace within homes and communities.
Participants were particularly inspired by Professor Gifty Appiah-Adjei, Head of the Journalism Department at the University of Education, Winneba, whose presentation highlighted the power of communication and local language advocacy in promoting peace and preventing violence.
“A girl who knows how to say ‘NO’ to a gun is a girl who says ‘YES’ to her future,” she remarked.
“When a woman hears the laws explained in her local language by a female presenter, she becomes a surveillance asset for peace.”
The event attracted the participation of several distinguished personalities and institutions including the Austrian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Jürgen Heissel, Executive Director for Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), Mamaga Ametor II (Paramount Queenmother of Alavanyo Traditional Area), Naa Ogbedei Srawa I (Paramount Queenmother of Teshie), Naa Agboshishi II (Adjiringanor Manye), and Colonel Rahinatu Sledge Alando – Gender Advisor to the Chief of Army Staff. The others are representatives from the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, National Peace Council, CHRAJ, National Counter-terrorism Fusion Centre, National Women’s Oraganiser for CPP, Deputy National Women’s Oraganiser for NPP, Light Foundation and students from Kinbu SHS, Accra Girls SHS, Sacred Heart SHS, as well as major media houses.
As the Commission’s first-ever commemoration of the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament, the programme represents an important step in NACSA’s ongoing efforts to deepen women’s participation within the peace and security hemisphere while inspiring more women and girls to see themselves as active actors in national peacebuilding and disarmament processes.
The Commission commends the Gender Desk together with the Commemorative Event Planning Committee, for their dedication and hard work in organising a successful and impactful programme.
The seminar concluded with a renewed call for stronger community engagement, sustained advocacy and increased women-led participation in building a peaceful, safe and gun-violence-free Ghana.
Happy International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament!
God bless women in peace and disarmament!
And God bless our homeland Ghana!