The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons (WAANSA Ghana) has attributed the prevalence of conflicts in Ghana to the widespread accessibility of small arms among civilians.

Ken Kinney, President of WAANSA Ghana, stated that the ease with which people acquire firearms often leads them to resort to violence rather than peaceful dialogue in resolving disputes.

He made these remarks during a sideline interview at a sensitization workshop held in Kumasi.

The workshop, organized by WAANSA Ghana with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together journalists to discuss the Arms Bill 2023 and the need for public advocacy for its passage.

Mr Kinney highlighted that many individuals possess firearms without the required documentation.

He emphasized that if passed, the Arms Bill would empower the Arms Commission to effectively regulate gun ownership, ensuring that only qualified individuals can possess firearms.

The legislation also seeks to limit the number of weapons civilians can own and introduce stricter controls on both firearm purchases and imports.

He urged the public to rally behind the Bill, calling on policymakers to expedite its passage to curb the proliferation of small arms in the country.

Francis Ameyibor, Coordinator and Facilitator for WAANSA and the UNDP Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Project, also provided insights into the significance of the workshop.