The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), the United Nations, the ICRC, and Article 36, convened Ghana’s first-ever National Consultation on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) on 18 February 2026 in Accra at the Palms by Eagle Hote.
The consultation gathered representatives from government ministries, security agencies, parliament, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and civil society networks including WAANSA, WILPF, and IANSA.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of NACSA, underscored the historic importance of the gathering. He emphasized that this first national consultation reflects Ghana’s determination to remain proactive in addressing emerging security challenges and mitigating the humanitarian consequences associated with explosive weapons. He acknowledged FOSDA and all international partners for their strong collaboration and commitment, noting that the shared purpose of the consultation is not merely technical but deeply human-centered on preserving lives, protecting communities, and reinforcing Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a peace-driven nation.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Director of Finance and administration at ministry of interior Dr. Gideon Asamoah Tetteh highlighted the urgent need for Ghana to strengthen its protective frameworks to safeguard civilian populations. He reflected on global contexts such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar, where civilians have suffered disproportionate harm from explosive weapons used in densely populated areas. Drawing insights from Ghana’s own tragic experience, he reminded participants of the Apeatse explosion of January 2022, describing it as a painful national memory that exposed critical regulatory and oversight gaps. He stressed that such incidents demonstrate why Ghana must urgently adopt stronger preparedness systems, enhance regulatory controls, and reinforce coordinated responses that align with humanitarian principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Representing one of Ghana’s strongest international partners on EWIPA, His Excellency Ambassador Jürgen Heissel, Head of Mission at the Austrian Embassy in Accra, delivered remarks reaffirming Austria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening global norms on civilian protection. He noted Austria’s leading role in spearheading the Political Declaration on EWIPA, adopted in Dublin in 2022, and applauded Ghana for demonstrating leadership and readiness to advance the Declaration on the African continent. Ambassador Heissel emphasized that Austria stands firmly with Ghana and its partners in supporting the next steps toward endorsement, implementation, and regional advocacy.
From the civil society perspective, the Executive Director of FOSDA underscored the humanitarian necessity of the EWIPA Declaration. She stressed that explosive weapons used in towns and cities continue to tear through communities with devastating consequences, destroying essential infrastructure, displacing populations, and creating long-term social and economic vulnerabilities. She reminded participants that civilian harm in such circumstances is not accidental but predictable, and therefore preventable. FOSDA urged Ghana to move decisively toward endorsing the Declaration before the end of 2026, noting that Ghana’s moral authority, peacekeeping legacy, and diplomatic influence position it as a natural leader capable of galvanising broader African commitment.
The consultation featured detailed technical sessions on the humanitarian impact of explosive weapons, the key obligations of the EWIPA Declaration, Ghana’s existing policy frameworks, and the procedural steps required for endorsement. Participants across government ministries, defence and security agencies, parliament, civil society networks, and international partners agreed on the urgent need to strengthen interagency coordination, enhance civilian harm tracking, improve national regulations, and expand victim assistance mechanisms. They also emphasised the importance of ensuring Ghana enters the upcoming Africa Regional Workshop in April 2026 as a well-prepared, coherent, and ideally endorsing state.
The meeting concluded with a strong collective call to ensure that Ghana approaches the upcoming regional workshop as a knowledgeable, credible, and ideally endorsing state. As the Executive Director of FOSDA noted, “Civilians are not collateral damage. They are rights holders.”
Ghana now stands at a pivotal moment to reinforce its leadership in peace, security, and humanitarian protection both nationally and across Africa.