Accra, Ghana – In a collaborative effort spearheaded by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, alongside the United Nations Development Programme- Ghana (UNDP-Ghana) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the “Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) FUND PROJECT” has been launched.
The launch ceremony, held in Accra brought together distinguished figures including Mr. Nahmtante Anselme Yabouri, Director of UNREC, Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Ghana Office, Mr. Bernard Asamoah, Country Representative of UNODC, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, Board Chairman of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Mr. Samuel Williams Yeboah, Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
This initiative aims to combat the escalating threat posed not only to Ghana but also to regional and global stability. Amid the growing instability within the Sahel and West African sub-region, Ghana, traditionally hailed as a democratic beacon, faces multifaceted challenges, including a surge in violent extremism and political crises in neighboring countries.
These crises have led to an influx of unregistered small firearms and light weapons into Ghana. Such proliferation not only fuels criminal activities but also exacerbates conflicts posing a serious threat to democracy, particularly in the run-up to the 2024 election.
In his opening address, UN Resident Coordinator-Ghana, H.E Charles Abani, emphasized the timeliness of the initiative, particularly in light of Ghana’s upcoming 2024 election. “With Ghana’s impending 2024 election, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons poses a threat to her democracy and could lead to escalating violence if not addressed. Initiatives like SALIENT which will address the multifaceted challenges posed by small arms proliferation, not only within Ghana but also regionally and globally is timely”, he said.
UNDP’s longstanding partnership in Ghana on peace and disaster risk reduction was also highlighted, with UNDP Deputy Resident Rep. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, underscoring UNDP’s collaboration with the Small Arms Commission. He mentioned previous cross-border initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of national and regional infrastructures for peace, including awareness campaigns, institutional capacity building, and border security measures. He also reaffirmed its support to the Commission through various initiatives.
Mr. Nahmtante Anselme, Director of UNREC, praised Ghana’s firm commitment to peace, security, and stability, highlighting the country’s excellent cooperation with UNODA. “Ghana’s firm commitment to peace, security and stability is manifested by the excellent cooperation between Ghana and the Office for Disarmament Affairs and more broadly by Ghana’s dynamism in national and regional initiatives to foster peace and the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons”, he indicated.
In his statement, Board Chairman Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso expressed his gratitude to SALIENT and its donors (France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland) for their support in combating armed violence. He also emphasized the significance of the initiative in the Commission’s ongoing efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of SALW and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). He stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges, particularly in light of escalating security threats in the Sahel and neighboring regions.
The project will unfold over a planned 9-month timeline. It will commence with targeted interventions in Legislation, Research/Data Collection, and Public Education and Sensitization. Recognizing the importance of reducing the influx of arms into Ghana to curb violence, this will necessitate a multifaceted approach, engaging both local and international partners. Aligned with the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, the SALIENT Fund Project emphasizes preventive measures and proactive interventions. It intersects with existing UN initiatives such as the Peacebuilding Fund Project and the Atlantic Corridor Project, aimed at enhancing social cohesion and preventing violent extremism.
