The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and other international agencies, is intensifying efforts to combat the rising illicit trade in small arms across West Africa.

At a high-level meeting held in Accra, Ghana’s Minister for Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, underscored the escalating threat posed by the illegal proliferation of small arms. He warned that the unchecked flow of these weapons is increasingly undermining both national and regional security.

“The spread of illicit arms is not just a local issue but a regional crisis that has escalated the level of threats across Africa and demands a coordinated and robust response,” Minister Muntaka stated.

He called on neighboring countries and international partners to enhance intelligence-sharing mechanisms and harmonise enforcement strategies across borders.

While acknowledging ongoing efforts, the Minister highlighted significant challenges, particularly the lack of reliable data on the movement of illicit arms.

“Our greatest challenge is the absence of dependable data to quantify the scale and sources of the problem. However, recent seizures and violent incidents suggest that arms trafficking is accelerating at an alarming rate,” he said.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr Adam Alhassan Adamu Bonaa also emphasised the importance of collaboration in combating the illicit arms trade.

“These gathering aims to bring us together to build consensus, identify the best approaches, receive training, and stay informed. As state actors, we need to be on the same level when it comes to implementing strategies expected of us in tackling illicit arms flow,” he said.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, improving surveillance systems, and establishing centralised databases to monitor arms flows and guide policymaking.

All participating agencies pledged to enhance operational coordination and support national initiatives aimed at arms control and disarmament.

This coordinated push comes at a critical time for West Africa, where armed conflict, organised crime, and terrorism are increasingly fueled by the circulation of illicit weapons