Aflao, Ghana — In a bid to combat the growing menace of illicit arms trafficking along the Aflao Border Post, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), in partnership with UNDP and UNODC, organized a sensitization program for Transport Operators at the Aflao Border Post as part of the SALIENT project implementation. This initiative, dubbed “breaking the chain” aimed at educating transport operators including public transport operators and motor riders “Okada”, to support the efforts of State Security Agencies and other stakeholders to curb cross-border transportation of small arms and ammunition for sustainable peace and development in Ghana and the ECOWAS region.
The Aflao-Lomé border, one of West Africa’s busiest land crossings, is both a vital commercial hub and a potential transit point for illicit arms trafficking across West Africa. Recognizing the critical role of transport operators in this dynamic, NACSA, UNDP and UNODC engaged over 230 participants drawn from the Transport Union Council Association (TUCA) and the Motor Riders Association to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to identify, prevent, and report illegal arms trafficking activities.
The Executive Secretary of NACSA, Mr. Samuel W. Yeboah, in his opening remarks delivered by Mr. Leonard Tettey, underscored the importance of the transportation sector in Ghana’s economic development. He highlighted that transport networks — including roads, railways, airports, and seaports — are frequently exploited by criminal syndicates to move illicit arms. “Cross-border arms trafficking fuels conflicts, perpetuates violence, and poses significant threats to regional security. It is our collective responsibility to prevent this illicit activity,” he stated.
Chief Revenue Officer Robert Wordey, representing the Border Security Committee (BOSEC) Chairman, reinforced this message by urging transport operators to remain vigilant. He emphasized that many transporters are unknowingly used to ferry illicit arms and called for stronger cooperation between transporters and security agencies to safeguard Ghana’s borders.
During the session, Superintendent George Kwaakye, the Aflao District Police Commander, provided participants with a detailed overview of Ghana’s legal framework governing small arms possession and transportation. He stressed that possession or transportation of illicit arms is a serious offense punishable by imprisonment and urged transport operators to familiarize themselves with these laws to avoid falling prey to traffickers.
DSI Justice Kudzo Normeshie from the Ghana Immigration Service took participants through real-life cases of intercepted firearms at the Aflao border, showcasing the ingenious methods traffickers use to smuggle arms across borders. His presentation aimed to make participants more aware of the dangers posed by illicit arms and the critical role they can play in curbing this threat.
ASP James Anaman, Ketu South Divisional MTTD Commander, emphasized the importance of road safety and the need for transport operators to remain vigilant. He outlined practical steps such as verifying customer identities, securing cargo, and promptly reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
The leadership of the Ketu South Motor Riders Association called for similar sensitization programs to be extended to other communities such as Agbezume, Akanu, Segbe, and Keta, emphasizing the importance of continuous engagement to ensure broader participation. In his closing remarks, Mr. Leonard Tettey thanked the participants for their active involvement and urged them to apply the knowledge gained in their daily operations. He reiterated the importance of collaboration between security agencies and transport operators in preventing the exploitation of transportation networks for illegal purposes.
