In her presentation the Associate Director of FOSDA, Afi Yakubu, argued that among the factors that fuel arms proliferation are weak stockpile management, post colonial or cold war remnants, movement of refugees/ dominance of refugee camps by armed groups, military coups and undemocratic electoral processes.

In a message from the Northern Caucus in the Ghanaian Parliament read by the Caucus Leader, Honourable Amadu Seidu described the gradual militarisation of Northern Ghana, an unfortunate situation in the 21st Century when the world is engaged in development. He pointed out that the proliferation of small arms in the Northern Region in particular has been an issue of grave concern over which they are cannot be proud. He cited the tensions in Bawku, Bimbilla, Bongo, Dagbon, Nandom, Zare, Zuarungu and other simmering conflicts which all pose a challenge to security and peace.

“locally made arms are contributing to their proliferation”

The Leader of Northern Caucus underscored the fact that while Ghana officially does not manufacture weapons, locally made arms are contributing to their proliferation, and called for stronger response from Government, Parliament and civil society. He reiterated that, “as opinion leaders who deal with every administrative issue of society, we share the sentiments of FOSDA on small arms proliferation in the North. It is our hope that the objectives and philosophy of FOSDA will find space in the hearts of men and women who cherish peace, unity and development.”

1. Tamale Meeting

In an address to the participants at the launch at the Teachers Hall in Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister urged all stakeholders, especially the youth of Tamale and Yendi where the incidence of gun violence is rampant. to be wary of those who would use them as bait to perpetrate violence in the area. He urged them to rather channel their energies to education and useful ventures.

He told the participants that small arms are “tools of death” that have facilitated the destruction of many human lives, displacement of people, poverty and misery among others in West Africa. He emphasised that arms race breeds animosity and suspicion and concluded that, “when the proliferation of small arms are brought under control, the pace of development which we are genuinely yearning for will manifest itself in more projects in the districts."

“say no to any form of investment in small arms”

In a Keynote address to the participants at the launch of the proliferation of SALW Awareness Week, the President of the Northern Region House of Chiefs, Nayire Na Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga stated that the highways are no longer safe and described the horrific scenes and stories which are told about and the trauma passengers go through when they are ambushed midstream by armed robbers. He observed that bandits are now invading the rural communities that have hitherto been safe havens.

He also indicated that our homes are not safer either and that all should say no to any form of investment in small arms and light weapons but say yes to the campaign against the proliferation of these weapons.

“some illicit arms in circulation are from [security agency’s] armoury”

The President of the Northern Region House of Chiefs also exhorted the general public to report to the police, chiefs and community leaders to flush out people who only profit at the peril of others. He called on members of the security agencies to be more vigilant and patriotic. He underscored the fact that, some of the illicit arms in circulation are from their armoury. He urged the security agencies to keep proper inventory of their ammunitions and also take very stringent disciplinary actions against culpable officers.

The President of the Northern Region House of Chiefs reiterated that the proliferation of SALW only removes peace, joy and life and leaves the communities in a perpetual cycle of poverty and hopelessness and insisted that chiefs and all peace loving people in Northern Ghana and Ghana at large must collaborate to find ways and means of nipping in the bud this menace. He stated that the conflict situation that engulfed northern Ghana in particular in the past is unfortunate and that chiefs would be saddened to see the threat of such conflicts gain root again and that “we need more tools for our farms, not weapons.”


2. Forum

As part of the activities of the Week of Action, a debate in schools was organised.

Honourable Umar Abdul-Razak, MP for Tolon Constituency who presented a paper on the topic Youth, Politics and Small Arms added that since the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, their main preoccupation should be to channel their energies to education but not arms which only bring about destruction and a bleak future. In a society where arms are proliferated, with the least provocation, youth easily resort to armed violence.

Mr. Mohammed Amin Anta who also presented a paper on the topic the Impact of Armed Conflict on Development alluded to the fact that violent armed conflicts have been unnecessary and have led to catastrophic consequences. He reiterated that some societies have been wiped out as a result of armed conflicts.

“the economic costs of conflict are immeasurable”

Mr. Mohammed Amin Anta informed the participants at the forum that, it is on record that, the proportion of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP devoted to military spending between 1960 and 1994 rose from 0.7% to 2.9% and that the region’s spending on arms is about US $ 11 Billion.

He concluded that the economic costs of conflicts are immeasurable and that in conflict areas, poverty sucks the energies of the people, malnutrition maims children, illiteracy darkens their minds and forecloses their future. He called on all stakeholders to take interest in ensuring effective conflict prevention, management and resolution.


3. Schoolchildren march

In a route march on the principal streets of Yendi, over 500 school children and their teachers took part. In an address, the District Chief Executive of Yendi told the gathering after the route march that where there is armed conflict development suffers.

The Yendi District Commander of Police urged members of the general public to give up their arms voluntarily before a house-to-house search is conducted in Yendi. He told the gathering that culprits would be prosecuted in the law court when caught with arms in their possession during the search exercise.

Mr. Kofi Bruno, the Information Officer of FOSDA informed the gathering after the route march that FOSDA has embarked on the sensitisation programme against the proliferation of illicit SALW because of the peculiar nature of Yendi and for that matter Dagbon in general. He urged the general public to surrender their arms to the security agencies to avoid been prosecuted.