Commission on Small Arms pushes for new firearms law after 50-year delay

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons is urging quick action. They want a firearms control law passed soon. The current legal framework is over 50 years old and needs updating.

Reports show that small arms in circulation increased significantly. In 2004, there were 240,000 weapons. By 2014, this number rose to 2.3 million. Only about 1.2 million of these were legally registered.

Dr. Adam Adamu Alhassan Bonaa leads the Commission. He stated that current laws are outdated and ineffective against modern threats. These include 3D-printed weapons and online arms sales.

At a workshop on the Arms Trade Treaty in Accra, he shared important news. A draft firearms bill has been in development for eight years. It is expected to be presented to Parliament this year.

He noted that Ghana's constitution is under review but the firearms law is much older. “We cannot address advanced threats with outdated laws,” he said.

He warned that not passing a modern firearms law could worsen security issues. This includes arms diversion and fake end-user certificates in West Africa.

The Commission believes a new law will improve compliance with international treaties. It will also help maintain Ghana’s reputation as an “oasis of peace” in a troubled region.