The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has highlighted the persistent challenge posed by Ghana’s porous northern borders, which remain a critical route for the illicit flow of weapons. Particularly, these crossings along the grazing corridors used by transhumant herders traveling between Ghana and Burkina Faso facilitate the unregulated movement of small arms. Carl Nii Anyetei Sowah, the Acting Head of Communications for the Commission, pointed out that some nomadic herders exploit their rights under the ECOWAS transhumance convention, presenting firearm possession as a form of protecting their cattle. However, the reality is more complex, as these individuals may enter Ghana armed but leave after selling their livestock, with no guarantee that the weapons exit the country.
The terrain along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border further complicates security efforts. Sowah described the border area as expansive and difficult to patrol, featuring dense forests, rivers, and largely uninhabited land that provide ample cover for smugglers. This vastness makes manual monitoring impractical, forcing security agencies to stretch their already limited resources. Sowah acknowledged the challenge by referencing the United States’ struggle to secure its borders, emphasizing how vast and difficult to secure land borders can be. This admission underscores the urgent need for modern technology to complement traditional patrols.
Recognizing these challenges, Ghana is currently engaging donor partners to secure advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, to enhance border monitoring capabilities. By integrating such technology, authorities hope to better detect and deter illicit trafficking activities across difficult-to-access border regions. This move signals a strategic shift toward leveraging innovation and technological solutions in the fight against small arms proliferation.
Beyond technology, the Commission is working closely with regional ministers, local government officials, and District Chief Executives to build community awareness about the dangers of illicit weapons. These efforts are part of a broader campaign tied to the national gun amnesty scheme and aligned with continental objectives like the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative. Raising awareness at the community level is crucial, as local populations can act as frontline defenders against illegal arms trade and help foster a culture of peace and security.
Sowah also drew attention to the broader security implications of illicit arms trafficked through the borders. He highlighted the direct link between these weapons and recent violent incidents that have displaced Ghanaians, forcing them to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The Commission has started implementing intensified border control measures, which will become more rigorous following the amnesty period. These ongoing efforts demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to curb gun inflows, reduce violence, and strengthen regional stability through coordinated action at multiple levels.
Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku