By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, May 26, GNA – Civil society organisations have urged the government to strengthen enforcement of existing laws to curb the growing circulation and misuse of illegal weapons across communities.
The call was made during a stakeholder dialogue on the United Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons held in Accra, where participants raised concerns about increasing gun-related incidents and weaknesses in enforcement mechanisms.
The meeting forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the upcoming Biennial Meeting of States under the UN Programme of Action, where progress and gaps in arms control will be assessed.
Ms. Theodora W. Anti, Executive Director of the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), said Ghana’s current arms control framework remained constrained by outdated legislation and limited institutional capacity.
“This makes it difficult to effectively regulate the proliferation of small arms,” she said.
She noted that although Ghana remained relatively stable, emerging threats such as cross-border trafficking, electoral tensions, and communal conflicts were being fuelled by the availability of illicit weapons.
Ms. Anti said the National Commission on Small Arms required stronger regulatory authority, adequate resources, and clearer enforcement powers to respond to the evolving nature of arms-related threats in the country.
Dr. Edgar Takyi Akonor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) drew attention to the growing misuse of firearms within communities, particularly during social and cultural events.
He said the increasing display and use of unregistered weapons at festivals and public gatherings were contributing to the normalisation of gun ownership and undermining public safety.
Dr. Akonor warned that the perception of guns as symbols of power and influence, especially among young people, was driving demand and encouraging risky behaviour.
“When people see others using weapons without consequences, it creates a cycle where more individuals feel compelled to acquire guns for protection or status,” he said.
He added that weak enforcement and inadequate supervision allow offenders to act with impunity, further eroding respect for the law.
He stressed that ineffective enforcement was a key driver of illegal arms proliferation, noting that laws alone would not be sufficient without consistent and decisive action by security agencies.
Mr. Solomon Okai of FOSDA said civil society organisations must play a stronger role in monitoring the implementation of arms control measures and holding institutions accountable.
He called for improved data collection, transparency, and community engagement to ensure that policies translate into real impact at the grassroots level.
Mr. David Bonsoh of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Ghana to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks to improve stockpile management and promote inclusive approaches to preventing violence.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong