OPEN LETTER TO: The Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons ‘Toward a More Inclusive Approach to preventing Armed Violence’

As the 2026 Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, coordinated by the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), draws to a close, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) joins civil society organizations, governments, and communities across Ghana and around the world in calling for more inclusive approaches to preventing armed violence and advancing human security.

This year’s theme, “All Voices Heard: Advancing Inclusive Small Arms Control,” reminds us that lasting peace cannot be built through exclusion. Effective arms control depends not only on legislation, law enforcement, and border controls, but also on the meaningful participation of the people most affected by armed violence.

Ghana has earned international recognition for its democratic governance and relative peace in a region facing increasing insecurity. This achievement has been supported by strong national institutions, active civil society engagement, and sustained commitments to international and regional frameworks, including the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA), and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. Over the past five years, the implementation of Ghana’s Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (GHANAP II) has demonstrated the value of inclusive security governance. Through collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, development partners and local communities, Ghana has made important strides in increasing women’s participation in peacebuilding, strengthening community-based early warning mechanisms, promoting conflict prevention, and integrating gender perspectives into peace and security programming. Similarly, the implementation of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAFPCVE) has reinforced the importance of locally led approaches that recognise women, youth, faith leaders and community actors as essential partners in building resilience against violence and insecurity.
These efforts provide a strong foundation for advancing a more inclusive approach to small arms control.
Yet, despite this progress, the proliferation and misuse of illicit small arms continue to threaten community safety, human security, and sustainable development. Armed violence affects women, men, girls and boys differently, while its consequences are often felt most acutely by communities living with insecurity. Women, young people, survivors of armed violence, traditional authorities, persons with disabilities, faith-based organisations, and civil society are frequently the first to respond to tensions, mediate conflicts, and promote peaceful coexistence.

Their voices should not simply be consulted—they should help shape policy. As Ghana reflects on the achievements of GHANAP II and prepares the next phase of its Women, Peace and Security agenda, there is a unique opportunity to further integrate genderresponsive and community-centred approaches into national arms control efforts. FOSDA therefore calls on the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to strengthen collaboration in advancing inclusive small arms control that reflects Ghana’s commitments to peace, security, and gender equality.

Specifically, we urge both institutions to:
• Institutionalise and invest in the meaningful participation of women, youth, survivors of armed violence, persons with disabilities, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and affected communities in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of arms control policies and programmes.

• Build on the achievements of GHANAP II by ensuring that the next phase of Ghana’s Women, Peace and Security agenda explicitly incorporates small arms control, armed violence prevention, and community security as priority areas.

• Strengthen the implementation of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism by integrating community-based arms control and violence prevention initiatives that address local drivers of insecurity.

• Support and adequately resource community-based early warning and response mechanisms, recognising the important role of local peace structures, women’s peace groups, youth networks, and traditional authorities in identifying emerging threats before they escalate.

• Expand public awareness and civic education on the dangers of illicit firearms, responsible firearms management, and peaceful conflict resolution, particularly among young people in communities vulnerable to violence.

• Strengthen coordination between the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Peace Council, security agencies, civil society organisations, and local government institutions to ensure inclusive and coherent implementation of national commitments.

• Improve the collection and use of sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data on armed violence to better understand how different groups are affected and to support evidence-based policymaking.

Inclusive arms control is more than good practice—it is fundamental to effective violence prevention. Policies are stronger, more legitimate, and more sustainable when they are informed by those who experience insecurity firsthand and by those who work every day to build safer communities.

As Ghana continues to champion peace, democratic governance, and regional leadership, it
has an opportunity to demonstrate that effective arms control is people-centred, genderresponsive, and inclusive. The conclusion of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence should therefore serve not only as a moment of reflection but also as a renewed commitment to ensuring that every Ghanaian has a voice in shaping a safer and more secure future.

FOSDA remains committed to working alongside government, civil society, traditional
authorities, development partners, and communities to advance inclusive arms control and
armed violence prevention in Ghana. Because every voice matters in building safer communities—and inclusive arms control is the foundation of lasting peace.

Signed
Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)