Cabinet approves ratification of arms trade treaty

Cabinet has approved a memorandum for the ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which seeks to ensure standardisation in the arms trade and transfer to foster peace and security.

The ATT is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons.

The landmark ATT, regulating the international trade in conventional arms - from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships - entered into force on December 24, 2014.

A Cabinet paper addressed to the Ministers of the Interior; and Foreign

Affairs and Regional Integration and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday indicates that the two Ministers have been directed to take immediate action for parliamentary approval.

So far 130 States have signed the treaty while 67 States have ratified.

The ATT is an attempt to regulate the international trade of conventional weapons for the purpose of contributing to international and regional peace, reducing human suffering, and promoting co-operation, transparency and responsible action by and among states.

In an interview, Mr Baffour Amoa, President of West Africa Action Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons (WAANSA) said Ghana’s ratification is paramount as “We are considered as a major voice in the international community”.

He said through the efforts of WAANSA eight West African countries have achieved parliamentary approval of the treaty and six countries have deposited their instrument of ratification.

He said with the coming into force of the ATT, weapons transfer could now be regulated with strict accountability and “we hope as a result of the treaty the world may see reduction in unnecessary armed conflict.