The proliferation and misuse of small arms continue to threaten the security of people and nations in West Africa. Small arms are the main weapons used in armed robberies, drug trafficking, local wars, terrorism, violation of human rights, etc. This situation leads to serious physical and psychological wounds to large sections of the population, displacement and breaking of families and communities, the collapse of economies and the destruction of the…
TOWARDS AN ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY TO COMBAT THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS IN AFRICA
From 23 to 24 November 2012 in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches (WCC) organised an international consultation on Ecumenical Advocacy to Combat the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa. The Consultation was attended by various church representatives from Africa, members of church-related organisations as well as international experts from the Africa Union and four regions of Africa- Northern and the Sahel, Southern, Eastern and Western- on peace and security issues.
STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION BETWEEN NATCOMS AND ECOWAS UNITS
On 23rd to 24th August 2012, ECOWAS Commission organised a conference aimed at developing resource mobilization policy for a sustainable implementation of the Convention on SALW and to provide technical and financial support to member States towards the realization of their activities.
The National Commission on Small Arms (NACSA) launched a community sensitisation programme on September 25, 2012 at the Bukom Park, Odododiodio on the theme: “GUN VIOLENCE; A THREAT TO PEACE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT”. Speaking at the launch, the President of WAANSA, Mr. Baffour Dokyi Amoa, called on all Ghanaians to make the coming elections gun-free.
Members of the Ecumenical ATT Campaign, coordinated by the World Coucil of Churches, conducted a tour of several ECOWAS member states in parellel with the UNGA 1st Committee meetings from the 16-28 October 2012. Meetings and informational sessions were held with Christian Leaders and government representitives in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, ECOWAS and WAANSA. Meetings with Christian leaders were followed by talks with government offcials in each country responsible for the ATT. Discussions highlighted the ATT process to-date, and suggested that UN member states build more awareness and conduct deeper analysis of the 26 July 2012 draft text with the hopes of a new UNGA mandate to schedule the next round of ATT negotiations in March 2013 at a second Diplomatic Conference. Church leaders in West Africa echoed the serious need for the inclusion of ammunition in the scope of a future ATT. Successes from the July Diplomatic Conference were celebrated- such as the inclusion of language on gender-based violence as well as the strong commitment to IHL and IHRL. Concerns were rasised throughout the tour that language in the ATT must be strong and binding, and that existing loop-holes must be closed. Highlights from meetings in the select West African states were echoed in New York to country delegations attending the UN 1st Committee. Overall, the need for a strong and effective ATT is clear for the christian communities in West Africa.
TOTAL RATIFICATION OF THE ECOWAS CONVENTION IN COTE D'IVOIRE
RATIFICATION DE LA CONVENTION DE LA CEDEAO PAR LA COTE D'IVOIRE 2
From 23 to 24 November 2012 in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches (WCC) organised an international consultation on Ecumenical Advocacy to Combat the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa. 
On 23rd to 24th August 2012, ECOWAS Commission organised a conference aimed at developing resource mobilization policy for a sustainable implementation of the Convention on SALW and to provide technical and financial support to member States towards the realization of their activities.
The National Commission on Small Arms (NACSA) launched a community sensitisation programme on September 25, 2012 at the Bukom Park, Odododiodio on the theme: “GUN VIOLENCE; A THREAT TO PEACE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT”. Speaking at the launch, the President of WAANSA, Mr. Baffour Dokyi Amoa, called on all Ghanaians to make the coming elections gun-free.
