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NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
Small Arms
FOREWORD
Ag. Executive Secretary
U
Assault Rifles
Local Pistol
Double Barrel Gun
Revolver
Pistol
In response to the above challenges, the National
Commission on Small Arms was established by an
Act of Parliament in 2007, (Act 736) with the
objective of dealing with matters relating to Small
Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and among
other things educate the public on the dangers of
proliferation of small arms to our peace, security
and development.
Grenade Launcher
Light Weapons
The maiden edition of the newsletter is to inform
the public, investors and other stakeholders with
interest in the fight against the proliferation of small
arms. The Commission has designed a number of
activities and projects of interest to these category
of actors. These include capacity-building and
training programmes for security agencies,
engagement with local arms producers/gunsmiths
(blacksmiths) on alternative livelihood ventures,
weapons collection and destruction exercises and
last but not least public education.
Heavy machine-gun
Rocket Propelled Grenade
Portable Missile Launcher
These interventions are clear commitments by
Ghana that the control of Small Arms and Light
weapons ought to be illuminated and observed
closely because there is a strong nexus between
Small Arms and Light Weapons proliferation and
development.
Recoilless Rifles
Mortar and Bomb
Ammunition and Explosives
To enrich the newsletter the Commission welcomes
comments and contributions from the public.
Editorial Board
Maiden Edition
Military Academy & Training School.
Furthermore, he took a Special Overseas Signal
Course at the Royal Armoured Corps Centre,
Bovington, U.K., and Intelligence Officers Course
at the Military Intelligence unit, Accra. He studied
Public and Non-Public Accounts at the Forces Pay
Office. As part of upgrading himself, he took Troop
Leader Course at The Royal Armoured Corps
Centre, Bovington, U.K., and also moved to the
Airbone Training School, Tamale, and took a
course in Unit Emplaning Officer Course. He was
sponsored to take UNDP, Japanese Government &
ECOWAS programme at the Kofi Annan
International Peace-keeping Training Centre
(KAIPTC) on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Personality Profile
The Board Chairman
National Commission on
Small Arms and Light Weapons
MR. JONES BORTEYE APPLERH
ncontrolled accumulation and spread of
small arms and light weapons (SALW)
pose a threat to peace and security, and
reduce the prospects for sustainable development.
Illegal cross-border activities coupled with
relatively weak administrative, legislative and
regulatory measures on weapons within ECOWAS
member states have contributed to the
indiscriminate proliferation of SALW within the
Sub-region.
NACSA News Letter
LT. COL S. OHENE-ASARE (RTD) was born on
23rd September, 1943.
He attended Achimota Secondary School (19581965) where he acquired his 'A' Level Certificate. He
then enrolled in the Ghana Military Academy (Nov.
1965-Sept. 1966) from where he was nominated to
continue his training at the Royal Military Academy,
Sandhurst (Sept. 1966-July 1968). He graduated and
was commissioned into the Ghana Army as a second
Lieutenant on the 1 August 1968.
For his Honors and awards received, he had the
following medals; Ghana Revolution Medal
(1966), Ghana Redemption (1972), Long Service
and Efficiency Medal (1980), 31st December
Revolution Medal 1982 and a Biographee of 7th
Edition of International “Who is Who” of
Intellectuals (1987), Cambridge U.K.
LT. COL S. OHENE-ASARE (RTD) was from
(1969-1971) the Aid De Camp (ADC) to the Army
Commander. He was reassigned as Adjutant, Recce
Regiment From 1971-1973. In 1973 he was posted to
become the MA to the Commissioner of Health,
again a position he held until 1975.
Some important conferences and seminars he has
attended include, World Congress of Heads of
Correctional Administrators – Sydney, Australia (1988), 3rd Regional Meeting of National
Commissions on Small Arms Control in West
Africa in Dakar, Senegal:14th - 15th October,
2009, Commonwealth Heads of Correctional
Services in Hong Kong in 1985, Conference of
African heads of Penitentiaries by UNSDRI at
Messina, Italy in 1987. Etc.
He was the Squadron 2 I/C in the Recce Regiment
from 1975-1976. He moved on to become the
substantive Squadron Leader, Recce Regiment From
1977-1978. In 1978 he was posted to the Ghana
Military Academy and Training Schools, as Tactics
Instructor at the School of Infantry till 1979. He
ascended to the position of Commanding Officer of
the Recce Regiment from 1979 and stayed till 1982.
During the early years 1983-1989 he was made the
Ag. Director of Prisons after which, he was retired
from the Army. He accepted employment at the
Global Services Ltd as Personal Assistant to the
M.D. from 1989-1993. In 1993 he worked as an
Administrative Officer at Wackenhut (GH) Ltd.
From 1993-1994, due to the diligence and
importance he attached to his work, he was made the
General Manager of Wackenhut (GH) Ltd.
From1994-1996. He moved on to become the Dep.
Managing Director of Secure Guard Security Ltd.
from 1996-2006, and later became the Managing
Director, of Highland Security Services Ltd. from
2007-2009. Currently he is the Chairman, Ghana
National Commission on SALW (Aug 2009).
He has interest in Playing Volleyball, Horse
Riding, Listening to Classical Music and
Gardening. as his hobbies.
Lt Col. Ohene-Asare during his military career
attended Junior Staff College. He then advanced to
the Senior Staff College for two terms. He studied
Military Law at the Legal Directorate of the GAF
Accra, the Company Commanders' course at the
Jones Borteye Applerh - Ag. Executive Secretary
Eric Dagadu - Public Relations Officer
Abdul-Jaleel Suleiman - Programmes Officer
Gyebi Asante - Snr. Programmes Officer
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NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
NACSA DELEGATION MEETS
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR
Media to Collaborate with NACSA
T
he National Commission on Small Arms
(NACSA) organised a two day seminar for
key stakeholders in the media to inform and
sensitise them on various issues associated with the
proliferation, illegal possession and misuse of small
arms. It was also to offer the Commission the
opportunity to discuss and establish effective
collaboration with the media, in the fight against
illicit small arms in Ghana.
challenge which required concerted effort of all
stakeholders to deal with the situation as the
country approaches the 2012 general elections.
A delegation from the National
Commission
on Small Arms
(NACSA) paid a courtesy call on
the Japanese Ambassador to
Ghana, Mr. Naota Nikai in
Accra.
Media practitioners in a group photograph after the training
The seminar was also aimed at using the media
platform to educate the public on the need for peace
building for economic and socio-political
development and to encourage non-violent
resolution of conflicts, while mobilising and
sensitising communities on the negative impacts of
illicit production, distribution and use of arms and
light weapons.
that the proliferation, illegal possession and wrong
use of SALW should be of concern to all;
that the media should inform and educate the
general public on the dangers of illicit SALW and
encourage private holders of small arms to hand
them over to recognised agencies;
In all, 40 participants attended the seminar. The
resource persons were Dr. Kwesi Aning [Head of
Research]; Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping
Training Centre, Mr George Sarpong [Executive
Secretary]; National Media Commission, DCOP
John Kudalor/Supt. Kwesi Ofori [Director of
Operations/Former Director of Public
Relations]; Ghana Police Service, Lt. Col Mbawine
Attintande [Director of Public Relations]; Ghana
Armed
Forces, and C/Supt Francis Aboagye
Nyarko [Head of National Firearms Unit]; Ghana
Police Service. They all spoke on different topics in
relation to illicit Small Arms and their effect on
peace security and development.
that the Media should collaborate with Security
Agencies and various stakeholders to effectively
stem this problem;
that the Media should collaborate with NACSA and
security agencies to retrieve and collect illegal
small arms; and
that the Media should consider the problem of
SALW as a very critical developmental challenge
that can derail our quest for peace and development.
A documentary on Sierra Leone, titled 'Cry
Freetown' was screened to create awareness and
deepen participant's understanding of the impact of
the misuse of SALW on security, peace and
development, and the challenge facing the
Commission and the nation at large. At the end of
the Seminar, the following resolutions were
adopted:
Mr. Nikai said the way to the success of
consolidating peace was for players in the sub
region to consistently coordinate their responses in
tackling the proliferation of small arms that
engender human security and sustainable
development. He disclosed that Japan was
currently collaborating with West African
governments and institutions towards a Regional
intervention against the proliferation of small arms
and light weapons (SALW) in Africa.
The visit was to enhance the
cordial relationship between the
Commission and the Embassy
and to solicit their assistance and
technical support for the
Commission in its control of the
proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the
country.
He assured the delegation that his country will not
cut down its assistance to Ghana, in spite of the
devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit
Japan in March last year. He pledged the Embassy's
assistance to the Commission and promised that the
Commission's requests will be considered in their
budget for the next fiscal year.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Executive
Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Jones Applerh
stated that the purpose of the visit was to
establish
bilateral relations between
the Commission and the Embassy.
He noted that for the
Commission to be able
to deliver on its mandate
it will require some
technical assistance
from the Japanese
Government. This is
because as an
industrialized country they
have a lot of experience
with gun control from whom
Ghana must learn.
Mr. Jones Applerh appealed to the Japanese
Ambassador to assist the Commission in the areas of
capacity-building for its staff on gun control,
attachment to Japanese Institutions for training,
construction of an office accommodation
and the provision of office equipment.
He also commended Ghana for its
thriving democracy and rapid
economic development and
affirmed his country's
c o m m i t m e n t t o
strengthening
bilateral
relations with Ghana.
A Board member of the
Commission, Mr. Baffour
Amoah briefed the Ambassador
about the commission's work
and how it was collaborating with the security
agencies to strengthen security at the border posts
in the wake of the Ivorian conflict.
Below is NACSA delegation in a group picture with the Japanese Ambassador.
From left: Daniel Andoh (Consultant), Jones Borteye Applerh
(Ag. Exe. Sec.), Noata Nikai (Japanese Ambassador),
Baffour Amua-Dokyi (Board Member) and
Johnson Asante-Tsum (Snr. Programmes Officer)
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana,
Mr. Naoto Nikai in response noted that
whilst there were many encouraging
developments, the protracted conflicts in
Africa and their escalation are of major
concern to them as development
partners.
He observed that the conflict situation in
Cote D'voire has made the proliferation
of small arms into Ghana a major
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NACSA News Letter
NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
TRANSFER OF FIREARMS
(CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP)
An individual who possesses license to bear a firearm
may decide at any point in his/her life time to transfer
the firearms to anyone of his/her choice as a gift or
upon death as inheritance/bequest. However, such a
transfer should take place at the police station with the
beneficiary going through the procedure to satisfy the
requirements as stipulated in law.
PROCEDURE FOR ACQUIRING
FIREARMS/ SMALL ARMS
The law (Act 118 and L.I. 200 of 1962) spells out
clearly the procedure for the acquisition of civil
categorized firearms or small arms by individuals and
importation of small arms by licensed arms and
ammunition dealers.
Under the law, (Section 61 of 200) a person who
wishes to possess a firearm must be:18 years and
above; physically fit and mentally sound; of good
character and repute (without criminal traits or
records); able to give a justifiable reason why they
require the firearms; either for hunting or their
personal protection or the protection of valuable
property; in the position to purchase the required fire
arm or the lawful successor to a previous lawful
possessor of that fire arm; and reasonably expected to
keep the fire arm in a safe place.
IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS
/ SMALL ARMS
There are licensed arms and ammunition dealers in the
country. These dealers submit applications for permit
to import firearms and cartridges to the Minister
responsible for the Interior for his approval or
otherwise. It must be stated clearly that they are the
only ones who are permitted to sell firearms, excluding
arms of precision, to the general public upon
presentation of a police permit. Also, the law permits
the Minister for the Interior to grant permit to
individuals upon receipt of an application, to import
arms of precision such as pistols and revolvers [which
the dealers are not allowed to import for sale] into the
country.
That person, shall first go to the nearest Police
Station, specifically the Firearms Licensing Office,
to apply for a specified firearm and also for forensic
and physical background vetting.
The police will then begin the process of
documentation [including filling of application
forms] and after the applicant has been cleared or
upon meeting the conditions above, a permit is issued
to acquire the firearm.
Maiden Edition
During interactions, it was revealed that the
Security Agencies had logistical challenges
ranging from insufficient duty post vehicles, lack
of outboard motors and speedboats, metal detectors
and communication equipment.
NACSA FIVE-WORKING-DAY
FACT FINDING VISIT TO THE
WESTERN BORDERS
T
he National Commission on Small Arms and
Light Weapons embarked on a five-workingday fact-finding mission to the Western
frontier of Ghana from the 7th to 11th June 2011. The
delegation toured and interacted with Security
Agencies, opinion leaders and members of the
communities along the South-Western frontier of
Ghana – Ivory Coast border.
The Chairman of the Commission commended the
Security Agencies for the professional manner in
which they had handled the Ivorian refuges and the
ex- combatants despite the numerous logistical
challenges.
GHANAIANS LIVING ABROAD
Ghanaians living outside the country would have to
apply to the Honourable Minister for the Interior in
Ghana for permission to bring in a firearm (it does not
matter if the applicant is licensed gun owner in the
jurisdiction where he/she is domiciled). It is illegal for
anybody to bring in a firearm without first taking
permission from the Honourable Minister. Any other
process or source of acquisition apart from the
abovementioned is against the law, and offenders when
caught will have to face the full rigors of the law.
The permit when issued gives the applicant the right
to purchase the firearm, only from a licensed arms
and ammunition dealer, for licensing by the police.
The validity of the permit is six (6) months and not
renewable. This implies that when a permit is issued,
the applicant must purchase/acquire the firearms
stated in the permit within six months for licensing,
otherwise it becomes invalid and must be surrendered
to the office of issue and then re-applied for.
The delegation inspecting a demarcation between
Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire at Osei Kojo Krom
The reason for the visit was to afford the
Commission the opportunity to obtain firsthand
information on the influx of small arms and light
weapons along the borders. It is was also to sensitise
the communities on the dangers and effect of small
arms and light weapons on the county’s peace,
security and development.
NACSA delegation with a section of Community members
at Kwamesei Krom border post
ACQUIRING LOCALLY-MADE FIREARMS
The law allows the Police to give blacksmiths the
license to repair imported Firearms. As a result, some
blacksmiths have acquired the skill and capability to
illegally manufacture locally-made arms making these
weapons easily accessible. This act of manufacturing
arms without approval from the appropriate authorities
is illegal. The implication of this is that anyone who
acquires such firearms falls foul of the laws of the land
and would have himself/herself to blame when the long
arms of the law catches up with him/her.
It should be noted that permit to purchase firearms
does not replace the prescribed license to bear
firearms. It is illegal to handle any firearm without
license. Whilst the permit gives the applicant the
authority to purchase the firearm within a period of
six months or lose it’s validity, the license to bear a
firearm gives the applicant the right to own and
handle a firearm for a period of one year; renewable
every year. The said applicant forfeits the right if
he/she does not renew the license after expiration.
This makes such firearm an illicit one and its use
illegal.
It is stipulated in the criminal code of Ghana (Amended
section 192), that illicit possession of arms,
ammunition and explosives is a first degree felony
punishable by a minimum of 10 years imprisonment
and a maximum of life imprisonment.
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Meeting with security officials and opinion leaders of Osei Kojo Krom
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NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
identification, registration, dialogue and
sensitisation, and to help redevelop their skills for
them to go into economically viable alternative
livelihood ventures. These include the production
of socially beneficial implements such as ploughs
and pruners for farmers, auto parts for motor cycles,
bicycles and vehicles, handcuffs for the Police,
screens and beds for hospitals and other medical
uses.
NACSA Meets Blacksmiths in
the Western Region
T
he illegal manufacture, distribution and use
of small arms poses a serious threat to
security and fuels armed robbery, burglary,
rape, conflicts and other violent crimes in an
otherwise peaceful country. The blacksmiths who
produce these arms sell them as a means of
economic survival. The current legislation on
firearms which bars local manufacture, as well as
arrests by the police to discourage the illegal
activity has not yielded the desired results and has
rather pushed the illegal activity further
underground.
The programme was also aimed at offering the
Commission the opportunity to persuade the
blacksmiths out of the production of arms in order to
reduce the production rate to the barest minimum,
explore areas of assistance to them, as well as the
possibility of developing a national register of
blacksmiths as stipulated by the ECOWAS
Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapon
(SALW).
NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
In an address read on his behalf,
the Minister for Interior,
Honourable Dr Benjamin
Kumbour, bemoaned the porous
nature of the Ghanaian borders
and how they continue to
constitute security threats to
surrounding communities and
the entire country.
NACSA ORGANIZES CAPACITY
ENHANCEMENT WORKSHOP FOR
SECURITY AGENCIES AT
THE WESTERN FRONTIER
“The proliferation of illicit
small arms and light
weapons pose a major threat
to national security. The
effects of gun violence in
our society are devastating.
Its prevalence leaves people
in perpetual fear and it
derails development
efforts.” This is a statement
by The Chairman of the
National Commission on
Small Arms and Light
Weapons, Lt. Col. S. Ohene
Asare (Rtd) at a capacity enhancement workshop for
the Security Agencies along Ghana’s
western
frontier.
These threats, according to the
Honorable Minister, included cross-border attacks by
armed groups and communities straddling the
borders, smuggling, motor vehicle thefts, drug
trafficking, and easy flow of small arms. The Interior
Minister noted with concern that the lack of logistics,
modern know-how, shortage of personnel and
inadequate infrastructure have all contributed to the
limited capacity of the security personnel to
effectively manage the Nation's borders.
He also raised the issue of the lackadaisical attitude of
some personnel at the border to perform their duties
professionally despite the challenges. He noted that
sophisticated equipment in themselves cannot protect
Ghanaians.
The Chairman of the Commission
indicated that the purpose of the
training was to improve the
understanding of the legal regimes
surrounding small arms in Ghana
and to enhance the capacity of the
participants to better manage the
borders of the Country.
The Commission, with the support of ECOWAS
Small Arms Control Programme (ECOSAP),
embarked on a four-day visit to blacksmiths in the
Western Region. The purpose of the trip was to
identify, mobilise and sensitise the blacksmiths on
the dangers of illegal manufacture of arms to peace,
security and development.
The blacksmiths called on the government to come
to their aid by assisting them in the area of capacity
building, soft loans and creating the ready market for
their products. They wanted to be treated like other
professionals in terms of recognition and assistance.
They intimated that they have contributed
immensely to the production of machines and farm
implements.
He was however optimistic that some of these
shortfalls will be addressed by capacity training
programmes. He urged the Commission to replicate
this training at our Eastern frontier as well.
The Acting Executive Secretary,
Mr. Jones Applerh, said a Baseline Assessment of
Illicit Small Arms in Ghana conducted in 2004 by the
Commission in collaboration with the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) estimated that
there were at least 220,000 small arms in civilian hands
in Ghana. Out of this number, only 95,000
representing 43.2% were registered leaving a
significant 56.8% or 125,000 illicit guns in circulation.
Again, he said, the survey indicated that about 34%
(75,000) of the guns in circulation as at 2004 were
illegally locally manufactured firearms in spite of the
fact that no one has been issued with a licence to
manufacture small arms in Ghana. He indicated that,
the Commission was currently engaging the
blacksmiths to discourage the local manufacture and
redirect their artisanal skills into the production of
acceptable alternative implement.
The blacksmiths also indicated their willingness to
be involved in public education on the negative and
harmful effects of small arms, and the need for the
Police to have good relations and collaborate with
them to fish out the bad nuts amongst them.
This was in line with the Commission’s
programme of mobilising Blacksmiths into
identifiable groups on regional basis for easy
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Lectures in session during the workshop
He asserted that if the above statistics on small arms in
Ghana is anything to go by, then some 66% of illicit
small arms in circulation might have found their way
into the country through illicit trafficking across our
international borders
A participant receiving his certificate after the Seminar
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NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
FACTS ABOUT ARMED VIOLENCE 1
Years of civil war and sustained levels of armed
violence in conflict states such as the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Sri Lanka have led
to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people
and to a massive loss of livelihood for millions,
greatly increasing the number of people living in
poverty and inhibiting the achievement of MDG 1.
Each year more than 740,000 people — over 2,000
per day — die as a result of the armed violence
associated with conflicts and criminal activities. The
majority of these deaths — 490,000 — occur in nonconflict settings.
NACSA News Letter
Maiden Edition
ARMED ROBBERY WATCH
ANALYSIS OF THE JANUARY TO JUNE 2011 ARMED ROBBERY
DATA OBTAINED FROM THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE
Analysis
A brief analysis of the January to June 2011 Armed
Related Crimes Data obtained from the Ghana Police
Service.
Brong Ahafo Region recorded the
·
highest increase of 68.4% armed
robbery cases.
1. TOTAL NUMBER OF ARMED ROBBERY CASES
States suffering from conflicts or persistently high
levels of criminality are furthest from reaching MDG
targets: 22 of the 34 countries furthest from reaching
the MDGs are in, or are emerging from, conflict.
Ghana witnessed an average reduction
·
of 8% armed robbery cases nationwide.
This could be attributed to the 54%
reduction of armed robbery cases in
Accra.
An estimated 875 million small arms and light
weapons (SALW) are in circulation today, threequarters of them in the hands of civilians. Globally, 60
percent of homicides involve the use of SALW.
According to the World Bank, efforts to eradicate
extreme poverty and hunger are at 10 percent of
target; efforts to extend universal primary education
are at 45 percent of target; and the extension of
maternal health are at 14 percent of target in conflictaffected and fragile states.
Ashanti Region also recorded an
·
appreciable increase of 60% armed
robbery cases.
Upper East recorded the highest
·
reduction of 66.7% armed robbery
cases.
Fig 1. Analysis of Total Number of Armed Robbery
Cases recorded in the various Regions
KEY FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
·
A total of 584 armed robbery cases were recorded
Generally armed robbery cases reduced
·
Nationwide during the period.
by an average rate of about 8%.
An estimated 50 to 60 percent of the global small arms
trade is legal–but legally exported weapons often find
their way into the illict market, destabilizing already
fragile states in conflict.
·
An average of about 53 armed robbery cases were
However, armed robbery cases in the
·
recorded Nationwide during the period.
Ashanti Region increased considerably
and needs an immediate intervention to
·
Ashanti Region recorded 176 cases which was the
address it.
highest number of armed robbery cases during the
period.
There is also a new increasing trend in
·
highway armed robbery in the Brong
·
Upper East recorded 4 cases which was the least
Ahafo
Region which requires the
number of armed robbery cases during the period.
development of key measures to
address the menace.
1. COMPARING ARMED ROBBERY CASES
·
A total of 14 lives were lost nationwide
OF JANUARY - JUNE 2011 TO
through armed robbery. Out of this
JANUARY - JUNE 2011
number:
Armed violence destroys lives and livelihoods,
breeds insecurity, and hampers prospects for human
development. According to the most recent
estimates, the total cost of armed violence in nonconflict countries amounts to $163 billion—more
than the total annual spending on official
development assistance.
In June 2006, UNDP and the Government of
Switzerland co-hosted a summit that resulted in 42
states endorsing the Geneva Declaration on Armed
Violence and Development, an initiative designed to
achieve measureable reductions in armed violence by
2015. As of March 2010, 108 states had signed the
declaration. Building on the work of the Geneva
Declaration, the UNDP and the Government of
Norway are working with Member States to ensure that
commitments to armed violence reduction and
prevention are included in the High Level Plenary
Meeting on the MDGs, and are reflected in subsequent
MDG and developmental strategies through 2015.
In El Salvador, firearm violence costs the state and its
citizens 11.5 percent of GDP —more than twice the
budget for education and health (4.8 percent of GDP),
according to the most recently available figures (2003).
5
·
9 were civilians, 1 was a policeman and
4 were armed robbers.
·
50 armed robbery victims were injured
nationwide over the period.
·
2 suspected armed robbers were
lynched during the period.
Fig 2. Percentage Change in Armed Robbery
cases as compared with the same period in 2010
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