The Executive Director of FOSDA, Mrs Theodora Williams Anti has called on the West African States to commit to and invest in arms control to strengthen the National Commissions on Small Arms. In a statement made at the Fourth Review Conference of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mrs Anti also called for increased support for Civil Society Organisations working on arms control in recognition their contribution to arms control and promoting peace and security in the sub-region.

Read Full Statement Below:

4th Review Conference of UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons

Statement By the Foundation For Security and Development in Africa, A member Organizations of IANSA

Delivered By Theodora Williams Anti, Executive Director

Madam Chair,

Distinguished Delegates

As a member of IANSA, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) is honored to partake in this Review Conference and to address distinguished Delegates. Congratulations on your election as the President of the Conference. Your leadership exemplifies the importance of equal opportunities for women in arms control and leadership roles. FOSDA, as a proponent of the women, peace, and security agenda in Ghana and  West Africa, takes pride in your election. We urge states and regional bodies to follow this example and actively create more leadership opportunities for women.

Madam Chair,

In preparation for this conference, FOSDA, with the support of IANSA and UNSCAR, hosted a Virtual West African Regional Panel Discussion. The goal was to assess the implementation of the POA in West Africa and provide recommendations. The panel comprised two National Commissions on Small Arms, the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), and the ECOWAS Small Arms Division. I’m pleased to report significant strides in implementing the POA in West Africa, including the enforcement of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms, the establishment of National Small Arms Commissions, and recent progress with the implementation of the OCWAR-T Project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the EU.

Madam Chair, for the sake of time I will share the top three concerns from the discussions

First, Lack of state commitment to arms control, leading to issues on harmonization of arms control laws,  poor funding of the National Commissions and overly dependence on development partners.

Second, Inadequate funding for the work of civil society in arms control is crippling the voice and work of CSOs in the region and the impact speaks for itself.

And third is the regulation and control of artisanal arms production and new technologies. 

Madam Chair,

The discussions recommended the following

  1. Intentional and increased funding support for and engagement of Civil Society Organisations in recognition of their contribution to arms control and promoting Peace and Security. The UN and Regional Bodies such as AU and ECOWAS are encouraged to factor CSOs in funding mechanisms.
  2. West African Governments must support National Commissions on Small Arms More to enable them operate to their optimal capacity.
  3. Development of National Action Plans on the UNPOA. These plans should be linked to National Security plans
  4. Deeper reflection and more creative ways for tackling new challenges of arms control such as drones and the 3D arms printers.
  5. Promote information sharing among states
  6. Engage women and youth in arms control

Thank you Madam Chair

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