The Ministry of the Interior has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to complying with the ECOWAS exemption regime governing the transfer and importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) as part of efforts to curb the illicit movement of arms across the sub-region.
The commitment was expressed at a three-day in-country training on the Exemption Regime of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, held to strengthen the capacity of officials from various security agencies.
The training is aimed at equipping participants with practical knowledge of the ECOWAS Convention and the procedures governing the legal importation and transfer of arms.
Under the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, member states are generally prohibited from transferring or importing such weapons. However, countries can seek exemptions from the ECOWAS Commission to legally import weapons under specific and strictly regulated circumstances.
Speaking at the opening of the training on Monday, August 17, Executive Director of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Adam Bonaa, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister for the Interior, said Ghana remained committed to enforcing the Convention.
He said the government, through the relevant security agencies, was taking steps to ensure compliance with the regional framework and prevent the illicit flow of weapons.
“In line with the commitments, the government remains firmly committed to strengthening the ECOWAS exemption regime by the full implementation of the Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their ammunition, and other related materials,” he said.
Mr Bonaa said effective implementation of the Convention was important to maintaining national security and preventing the proliferation of illicit arms.
Acting Head of the ECOWAS Small Arms Division, Adeomi Abayomi, acknowledged that some gaps remained in ammunition importation controls among member states.
He, however, noted that compliance with the Convention across the sub-region had generally been positive.
Mr Abayomi commended Ghana for its continued commitment to respecting and implementing the ECOWAS Convention and urged other member states to strengthen their compliance with the regional framework.
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