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National Commission on Small Arms Bill
passed
Accra, March 23, Ghanadot/GNA - Parliament on Friday passed
the National Commission on Small Arms Bill after taking it
through the Third Reading.
The bill seeks to establish a national commission to deal
with small arms and lights weapons.
It would also provide a framework for programmes of action
to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small
arms and light weapons and educate the public on these
matters.
A report of the Committee on Defence and Interior said Ghana
was obliged under Article 24.1 of the ECOWAS Convention on
Small Arms to establish through regulation or legislation a
commission on small arms in accordance with Article 51 of
the ECOWAS Protocol on the Mechanism for Prevention,
Management and Resolution of Conflicts and Keeping Peace and
Security.
The report said it has been noted with concern the recent
increases in small arms in the West African sub region,
which was responsible for most conflicts.
Over 600 million illicit weapons are in circulation
worldwide with Africa accounting for 30 million of these
weapons, the report said.
"About eight million illicit weapons are currently
circulating in West Africa. The baseline assessment of
illicit small arms indicates that there are at least 220,000
in civilian hands in Ghana, " the report added.
GNA
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