INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT AND DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS: A STUDY OF THE ARMS TRADE TREATY IN GHANA

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examined the extent to which the architecture and programs of the Ghana National Commission of Small Arms and Light Weapons (GNCSALW) are aligned with the vision of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Using qualitative method, the researcher gathered both secondary data and primary data from the target population which is made up of the staff of the GNCSALW; personnel of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); a team of four international ATT experts from the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) and Expertise France (EF). The findings of the study revealed that the institutional structure (the board of the GNCSALW) that Ghana has established, in adherence to Article 5 of the ATT, as parts of its national control system for the actualization of the vision of the ATT is very representative of all the major organizations that deals with arms and ammunitions in Ghana. As a result, this structure is adequately composed to effectively lead the actualization of the vision of the ATT in Ghana. Secondly, the study found out that although Ghana has fulfilled the requirement of Article 5 of the ATT through the establishment of both legal and institutional structures, the State is yet to come out with its Control List as required by Article 5(4) of the ATT. The national control list refers to a list of arms and ammunitions that every State Party to the ATT is expected to declare to be subject to transfer controls within its borders. The unavailability of a Control List in Ghana is very detrimental to the peace and stability of the country because since there are no restrictions on the weapons coming in and out of the country, any dealer of arms and ammunitions can import any dangerous arms and ammunitions into the country which can be deadly if any conflict occurs in Ghana. In conclusion, the study recommends that the Cabinet and Parliament of Ghana should, as a matter of agency, speed up proceedings on the approval and passage of the Legal Instrument for the Control list into law. Due to the fact that Ghana is approaching an election year in 2020 and there is a possibility of tension rising, the Control List is urgently

needed to prevent the entry of deadly weapons which could destroy lives and properties in terms of any conflict situation in Ghana.