The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) have jointly commenced a three-day training for National Focal Persons on the effective implementation of the Exemption Procedure to the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials.
The training, being held from 17th to 19th August 2026 at the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra, brings together 25 officials from state institutions whose mandate require that they procure, use or have oversight responsibilities on firearms and ammunition. The participating institutions include the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Ghana Armed Forces, and Ghana Police Service. The others are Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Forestry Commission, National Security Council Secretariate, Bureau of National Intelligence, Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority and Narcotic Control Commission.
This training seeks to strengthen the capacity of National Focal Persons and relevant institutions to effectively implement the ECOWAS Exemption Procedure, while promoting greater coordination, information sharing and compliance with regional obligations governing the transfer of small arms and light weapons.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Adam Bonaa, delivered a statement on behalf of the Honourable Minister for the Interior, which reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s commitment to the ECOWAS Convention and to strengthening the implementation of the Exemption Procedure in collaboration with the allied security agencies and relevant institutions.
The Minister underscored the importance of proper documentation, authorisation, marking and compliance with applicable obligations, while calling on National Focal Persons to use the training to identify procedural gaps and develop practical measures to strengthen implementation.
Mr. Abayomi Nicholas Adeomi, Ag. Head of the Small Arms Division of the ECOWAS Commission who was representing the Resident Representative of ECOWAS to Ghana, emphasised that the effectiveness of the Exemption Procedure depends not only on the legal provisions of the ECOWAS Convention, but also on the professionalism, technical competence and cooperation of national institutions responsible for its implementation.
He further noted that the training would provide participants with an opportunity to review implementation of the Exemption Procedure, examine practical challenges, exchange national experiences and undertake simulation exercises on the preparation and processing of exemption applications.
“For NACSA, the central question is not whether Ghana subscribes to the ECOWAS Convention or not, but how its provisions are translated into effective national practice” as highlighted by the Acting Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Gali Salam during his welcome address.
Participants will examine the principles of the Exemption Procedure and documentation requirements. There will also be simulation and scenario building exercises on preparing documentation and applying for an ECOWAS Exemption Certificate while national institutions will share their experiences and challenges in managing arms transfers and the utility of Forms A and B.
This training forms part of ongoing efforts by ECOWAS and Member States to strengthen the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Convention and improve controls over the transfer of small arms and light weapons.
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