WAANSA- Ghana Schools Media on National Small Arms Bill 2023

WAANSA-Ghana in partnership with the UNDP Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Fund Project has organized a media empowerment workshop on the National Small Arms Bill 2023 to equip journalists in the Ashanti Region with the knowledge and skills to report on small arms and light weapons issues effectively.

The workshop aimed to equip journalists in the Region with practical tools for accurate reporting, strategic advocacy, and policy influence to drive urgent legal reforms for stronger arms governance in Ghana.

The WAANSA- Ghana/UNDP SALIENT Project Fund Coordinator, Francis Ameyibor, underscored the crucial role the media play in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).

However, he observed that irresponsible reporting can exacerbate conflict and violence.

“Media reportage of SALW faces several challenges, including limited access to information, lack of expertise, pressure from special interest groups, risk of harm or intimidation, and complexity of SALW issues,” he observed.

Notwithstanding, he stressed that to promote peace and security, it is essential to empower the media and enhance accountability in reporting SALW.

“Empowering media and enhancing accountability in reportage of SALW is crucial for promoting peace and security. By promoting responsible and accurate reporting, we can reduce the spread of misinformation and promote a more peaceful and secure world,” Mr. Ameyibor stressed.

Mr Ameyibor recommended media outlets and journalists to receive training and capacity building on SALW issues in order to promote responsible and accurate reporting on SALW

He also admonished the media to seek out multiple sources, verify information and avoid sensationalism to promote responsible and accurate reporting on SALW, urging them to also provide context and use accurate and neutral language.

“Media outlets and journalists should be held accountable for their reporting on SALW.

Governments and NGOs should provide support and protection for journalists reporting on SALW,” he furhered.

The President of WAANSA- Ghana, Ken Kinney called on the media to partner with WAANSA- Ghana to advocate in the fight against the proliferation of illicit small arms, light weapons, ammunition and explosives in Ghana and the ECOWAS sub-region.

According to him, WAANSA-Ghana has been given an exclusive role under the SALIENT Fund Project to lead in advocacy for urgent legal reforms on small arms in Ghana. This he explained will ensure a proper understanding of proposed national legislation, policies and regulations reviews to be aligned with existing international, regional and sub regional instruments among various national stakeholders in Ghana.

Mr. Ken Kinney was hopeful that the workshop would enhance media awareness, promote responsible reporting practices, and support efforts towards the passage of the Bill and also equip media personnel with skills to understand the national small arms and light weapons legislation, policies and regulations as well as existing international, regional and sub regional instruments.

The workshop he also said will build the capacity of media personnel, enabling them to advocate effectively on small arms issues and strategically lobby duty-bearers for the enactment of the new Arms Bill.

He called on the media to support CSOs in the advocacy for the passage of the Arms Bill of 2023 into law that will form the basis for the arms governance in Ghana.

For his part, the Programme Manager at the National Small Arms Commission (NASAC), Leonard Tettey, expressed worry over the delayed passage of the Legislative Instrument (LI) for the Control List, drafted by NASAC in 2017.

“Customs officers need this document to ensure that all weapons entering the country are authorized,” he explained, adding that the absence of the Control List means there are no clear restrictions, and the entry of weapons rely solely on the discretion of customs authorities.

The Ghana’s SALIENT project is being implemented under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator; UN Agencies (UNDP and UNODC) working in collaboration with the National Small Arms Commission; the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA)-Ghana to integrate small arms control into development frameworks.