TEMA, GHANA – The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for border officials at Tema Port, aimed at bolstering the capability of border authorities to detect, identify, trace, record, and prosecute cases of illicit arms trafficking.
As one of the largest ports in West Africa, Tema serves as a critical gateway for goods entering and leaving Ghana. Unfortunately, its strategic position also makes it a potential entry point for illicit arms, especially amidst a regional increase in organized crime and terrorism. This training is, therefore, crucial to equipping officers with the skills needed to combat the rising threat and ensure the safety and security of Ghana and the broader ECOWAS region.
Held at Tema Port, the workshop brought together representatives from key state institutions, including Immigration, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), National Security, Port Security, Narcotics Control Commission, Energy Commission, Ghana Standards Authority, Customs, and the National Commission on Small Arms. The activityis part of the SALIENT project implementation in Ghana on border governance and interagency cooperation, which emphasizes the need for a robust multi-agency response to the increasing risks of illegal arms trafficking across West Africa.
In her opening remarks, Assistant Commissioner Christiana Adjei, Customs Sector Commander at Tema, stressed the importance of interagency collaboration to tackle this menace. “The work we are doing here is not just for the benefit of one agency but for the security and peace of Ghana and beyond,” she stated. “With Tema Port as a major transit hub, our vigilance is paramount. This training will help our agencies detect, identify, trace, and prosecute cases of illicit arms trafficking, reinforcing our collective ability to counteract these threats.”
She further commended the National Commission on Small Arms for its foresight in organizing the program and acknowledged the Executive Secretary, Mr. Samuel William Yeboah, for his commitment to strengthening Tema Port’s security framework. Mr. Yeboah emphasized that combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons requires a unified, multi-agency approach, urging all involved to create a coordinated response against traffickers seeking to exploit any vulnerabilities at the port. “By fostering collaboration and sharing information, we can close the gaps that traffickers seek to exploit,” he remarked.
Throughout the training, participants acquired knowledge on advanced detection techniques, record-keeping protocols, and the tracing and identification of illicit arms shipments.
Participants were further taken through various practical simulation exercise to enhance their skills which are critical in dealing with sophisticated arms trafficking networks that threaten the region. As Tema Port connects West Africa to global trade, its security is of paramount importance not only for Ghana but for the stability and peace of the wider region.
The workshop concluded with participants prepared to implement new skills and strengthen interagency networks, ensuring that Tema Port, Ghana and the West African Sub Region remain resilient against the growing threat of illegal arms trafficking.
