Accra, July 14, GNA - The increasing assassination of individuals in the country and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in West Africa linked to the highly disparaging nature of modern warfare, particularly its impact on lives and property raises concern both in the corridors of power and among civil society.
These killings had raised much concern and created a state of fear and insecurity. This state of mind was confirmed recently by civil society operatives at a workshop organised by the West African Action Network on Small Arms Control, (WAANSA) in Cote d'Ivoire.
The participants from across the sub-region unanimously confirmed that the proliferation of SALW had created a sense of insecurity among individuals and was threatening the stability of a country not at war, and make the countries prone to eruption of conflict.
A sample interview conducted by Ghana News Agency among serving Military and Police Senior Officers confirmed that the threats were real, in terms of a reiteration or an outbreak of a new conflict and the unconstitutional change of government.
They revealed that the potential usage of SALW exist not only in conflict countries but also in countries perceived to be relatively stable and peaceful with prospects of consolidating basic tenets of democracy and good governance, especially Ghana, as the nation prepares for a major elections.
The Security Experts noted: "these threats remain salient as the re-cycling of former combatants from one civil war to new terrain, especially to countries perceived to be stable were possible. A leading small arms analyst and scholar, Mr. Baffour Dokyi Amoa, told the GNA that recent spate of assassination of influential personalities and threats of assassination of some political heavyweights in society and media practitioners were a reflection of the country having its own share of the impact of SALW.
Mr. Amoa, who is also the President and Programme Manager, West African Action Network Small Arms Control Programme (ECOSAP) called for immediate action to control the looming danger before Ghana becomes a fertile haven for former combatants to ply their trade.
The vagueness that characterize stability in the West Africa sub-region becomes even more deep-rooted, when a nation shows relatively stable and peaceful disposition and "seen to be consolidating its democracy through peaceful elections and begins to attain an enviable status among its peers in the region.
"A rapid ratification of the ECOWAS Convention of SALW within the sub-regional conflict framework could serve as suitable response to either eliminate or reduce the potential threat to the stability of countries and enhance both state and human security in the region."
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
The need to stem or control the nationwide "flood" of SALW has in recent years risen rapidly in the country as there are increasing usage of arm robbery, targeted killings and other nefarious activities. Aside from their role in armed conflicts, these weapons are being widely used to terrorize and control populations, to influence politics, and to gain a livelihood.In many places, desperate and impoverished people often turn to violent means to gain a foothold in society, the result being growing insecurity, and a culture of violence.
It affects the intensity and duration of violence and encourages militancy rather than a peaceful resolution of unsettled differences; serve as a major difficult arms control and disarmament issues to address, for a wide variety of reasons.
DEFINITION OF SALW
The 1997 Report of the United Nations Panel of Government Experts on Small Arms defined small arms as weapons designed for personal use, and light weapons as those designed for use by several persons serving as a crew.
The category of small arms includes: revolvers and self loading pistols, rifles and carbines, assault rifles, sub machine guns and light machine guns. Light weapons include heavy machine guns, hand-held under-barrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and mortars of calibres less than 100mm. The ammunition and explosives are considered to form an integral part of the small arm trade. These small weapons are only part of a larger trade that includes heavier and more lethal weaponry, because they are cheap, easy to transport and can be handled by ill-trained rebel soldiers and even children.
The Sub-regional body, ECOWAS on the other hand defined light weapons as portable arms designed to be used by several persons working together in a team and which included: heavy machine guns; portable grenade launchers, mobile or mounted; portable anti-aircraft cannons; portable anti-tank cannons, and non-recoil guns.
The rest were portable anti-tank missile launchers or rocket launchers; portable anti-aircraft missile launchers; mortars with a calibre of less than 100 millimetres.
Small Arms included arms used by one person and which include notably: firearms and other destructive arms or devices such as an exploding bomb, an incendiary bomb or a gas bomb, a grenade, a rocket launcher, a missile, and a missile system or landmine.
Other were revolvers and pistols with automatic loading; rifles and carbines; machine guns; assault rifles; light machine guns. Devices destined to be shot or projected through the means of firearms including among others: cartridges; projectiles and missiles for light weapons; mobile containers with missiles or projectiles for anti-aircraft or anti-tank and single action systems were classified as ammunitions.
GLOBAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT SALW PROLIFERATION
The uncontrolled proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) in regions of the world suffering from political instability and violent conflict has proven a major obstacle to peace, economic development, and efforts to rebuild war-torn societies. Global efforts included; United Nations international instrument adopted in 2005 which seeks to enable States to identify and rapidly trace small arms and light weapons, UN Protocol on the manufacture and illicit trade in fire arms, spare parts, components and ammunition adopted in 2001.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2002) on women, peace and security which recognises the specific role of women in peace building and the UN Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflicts; against the use of children in armed conflicts.
In addition to United Nations Conventions and other related policies to combat illicit small arms trade, the United States of America tagged as global leader on the efforts to mitigate the illicit trafficking and destabilizing accumulation of SA/LW had step-up efforts through multilateral diplomacy and bilateral assistance to countries in need.
Specifically, the USA has directed its policies at building and enhancing enforcement and legal capacities, better controlling proliferation to areas of conflict, providing training on export control and customs practices, discouraging irresponsible and indiscriminate exports, strengthening sanctions against violators of embargoes, and enhancing stockpile security and destroying excess weapons. The U.S. approach focuses on practical, effective measures to address the problem of illicit SA/LW trafficking in conflict regions where it is most urgent, while acknowledging the legitimacy of legal trade, manufacture, and ownership of arms.
REGIONAL EFFORTS
Within the sub-regional context, a comprehensive and credible ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security was established in December 1999 to provide the framework for early warning, backed by structures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts.
According to Mr Jonathan Sandy, ECOWAS Small Arms Control Officer, the promulgation of ECOWAS Convention on SALW were additional efforts at sub-regional level to prevent and combat the excessive and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons within sub-region. The Convention seeks to mandate countries within the region; to continue the efforts for the control of small arms and light weapon; consolidate the gains of the Declaration of the Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of small arms and its Code of Conduct.
It seeks to build institutional and operational capacities of the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat and the Member States in the efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, their ammunitions and other related materials; and to promote the exchange of information and cooperation among the Member States. The convention also mandate member states to control the manufacture of small arms and light weapons within their national territories; each member state "shall regulate the activities of local small arms and light weapons manufacturers and shall undertake to adopt strategies and policies to the reduction and/or limitation of the manufacture of small arms and light weapons so as to control the local manufacture as well as their marketing in ECOWAS region. Mr SANDY said what has been lacking within ECOWAS, though, is an ability to respond early to threats which are beyond the capacities of member states with a credible and robust sub-regional standby force. However, efforts by the ECOWAS Defence and Security Commission (DSC) to establish an ECOWAS standby force for rapid deployment to contain conflicts and other destabilizing acts within ECOWAS member states is commendable and a step in the right direction.
LOCAL INITIATIVES
In addition to these positive developments, a Ghanaian Security Expert told the GNA that the country since 2000 had embarked on what was coded in security parlance as: Security Sector Reform or Transformation (SSR/T).
The initiative, according to him was pioneered by non-governmental organizations and personnel within the security agencies, was under the auspices of the Government and the United Nations Development Programme Thematic Trust Fund (UNDP-TTF) for reform of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Department for International Development (DfID) for the military.
He explained that the SSR/T initiative was to equip, reorient the philosophies, attitudes and modus operandi of both government and the security agencies to handle challenges posed by mercenaries in the 21st century.
These security agencies, tasked with guaranteeing state and human security under the 1992 Constitution, fall under the executive arms of government, with the legislature exercising prudent oversight functions over these agencies.
He assured the public that these initiatives in itself were credible to consolidate good governance and maintain a peaceful and democratic country.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is solely mandated by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to be equipped and maintained to perform their role of defence as well as undertake such other functions for the development of Ghana as the President may determine. In similar stratum, the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act of 1996, Act 526, makes provision for internal and external security of Ghana and details the institutions and structures responsible for guaranteeing the security of the country.
The GAF is also credited all over the world for its professionalism and a good sense of dedication to duty on peace support operations. These competencies provide a good basis for dealing with threats to Ghana's security challenges.
The country's conflict prevention and management mechanism had also contributed to secure the country for all these years. This is a 'good practice' that should be further strengthened to detect any untoward activities in the country and also prevent, manage and resolve any election related conflicts possible to disorganized the national stability.
SALW A THREAT TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN GHANA
Security experts however, cautioned that, "the nation should not go to sleep, especially as we prepare for Elections 2008 to either maintain or change the democratically elected government of the ruling regime. The experts said the country, perceived as a stable, democratic nation and ascribed as the "Gateway to the West Africa sub-region," was prone to activities of either operatives of the ruling political party trying to hold on to their authority at all means, or by opposition elements committed to overthrowing the government, came what may. The stakes for Elections 2008, especially for the two main political parties the ruling NPP and main opposition NDC are high as regards who takes over government in 2009.
As the days draw by, it is expected that the parties may concentrate and harp on their opponents' shortfalls and weaknesses as a means of getting themselves into power, which normally creates all kinds of tension and insecurity.
The use of hard hitting words by leading political party factionaries in an attempt to convince the electorate of the potency of their respective parties for ruling the country and rubbishing opposing forces create fear and tension in an otherwise stable political environment.
Recent alleged assassination threats on the lives of politicians on both political divide should be construed as an early warning signal for the security agencies to put in place adequate preparation for an early response to exigencies.
This concern is informed by a turbulent history of electoral conflicts in the past and the porous nature of security at the borders within the sub-region. Elections in Ghana are always characterized by widespread tension in which pronouncements by political players and sensational headlines by the media, create general fear, insecurity and tension. prepared gradually towards Elections 2008.
WAANSA and other civil society observers expect Ghana's national security apparatus to guard against any underhand mobilization for destabilization before, during or immediately after the elections. It would be recalled that non-state actors, specifically rebel combatants, have engaged in destabilising acts in West Africa. These combatants are either recruited locally or from outside the country in which the conflict takes place, mainly to destabilise or overthrow the government in an attempt to wrest power and allegedly restore good governance for the betterment of the lives of individuals who remain targets in these civil wars.
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and C=F4te d'Ivoire, among other West African countries, have experienced civil wars fought by a mix of combatants who are either nationals or non-nationals.
These combatants are seen in different conflicts, especially in the Mano River Basin and have participated in on-going disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes (DDR) in some of these countries.
CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH REAL THREATS
With obvious mercenary engagement in West Africa and the possibilities of destabilizing relatively peaceful ECOWAS member states, as well as states in transition or states emerging from complex humanitarian emergencies, there is the need to identify options for control of such activity, which included the immediate ratification of the ECOWAS Convention.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA
The challenge for Ghana, regarding the media however, lies in the dilemma of exercising an editorial discretion based on good judgement, balanced opinion, objective and verifiable contents and the ability to use the "fourth estate of the realm" not to hype or cause destabilizing sensations but to maintain a stable and peaceful environment for democratic consolidation.
The media as "a fourth estate of the realm" has the responsibility to remain fair, objective and neutral as the processes towards elections gained momentum. It must give adequate information to the electorate to facilitate informed choices rather than whip up sentiments or fan simmering disputes and party political rivalries with inflammatory statements and sensational headlines.
The media, holds the key to constitutional development and sustenance of the democratic dispensation in the country. It is believed that the media's ability to hold, direct and incite the general public's perception and thinking on an issue is very paramount for the survival and promotion of democracy and must be acknowledged by all as we move towards Elections 2008.
INSTITUIONAL LEVEL
The urgent need for institutions to share knowledge and understanding of ECOSAP Regional Programme Management Team based in Bamako, Mali; WAANSA operations; institutionalising the partnership between Civil Society Organisations, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), the National Commissions on Small Arms Control (NATCOMs); and the ECOWAS Small Arms Unit (SAU).
Mr Laary Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said the key for protecting our democracy stemmed from understanding of the basic tenets of democracy with its associated rights and obligations and the strengthening of democratic institutions to ensure the survival of the Constitution.
He explained in an interview with the GNA that constitutional rule and democracy would only thrive in a proactive civic society supported by a vibrant, free and independent press and judiciary and in a society in which individuals were alive to their responsibilities and were ready to assert their rights.
"Indeed, it is important that the Ghanaian community develop, strengthen and institutionalise the culture of constitutionalism in the hearts and minds of all, irrespective of age or sex."
ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Political parties are also expected to be circumspect in their campaigning, propagandist activities, and adhere to the Political Parties Code of Ethics.
In view of the sensitivity and importance of Elections 2008, it is necessary to draw the attention of all political parties to the Code of Conduct for Political Parties adopted on May 18, 2000. The code says all political parties have the right and freedom to put forward their views to the electorate without hindrance. All parties must publicly condemn any form of political violence or intimidation, irrespective of who originates it.
Accordingly no political party should indulge in violent activity or intimidation of any kind, as a way of demonstrating its strength or supremacy.
The parties are also expected at all times to avoid defamatory, derogatory and insulting attacks on rival parties or individual personalities through any form of communication, verbal or written. During campaigning, political parties or individuals are to avoid the use of inflammatory language, actions, images or manifestations that incite violence, hatred, contempt or intimidation against another party or candidate or any other group of persons on grounds of ethnicity or gender or for any other reason.
INTELLECTUAL IGNORANCE
Quite unfortunately, many Ghanaians, including intellectuals, politicians, academicians and security agencies, have exposed their ignorance of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution in one way or the other.
This phenomenon, if allowed to continue for a long time, could be the bane that would destabilise the fledgling democracy and not necessary the mere proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Accra, July 14, GNA - The increasing assassination of individuals in the country and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in West Africa linked to the highly disparaging nature of modern warfare, particularly its impact on lives and property raises concern both in the corridors of power and among civil society.
These killings had raised much concern and created a state of fear and insecurity. This state of mind was confirmed recently by civil society operatives at a workshop organised by the West African Action Network on Small Arms Control, (WAANSA) in Cote d'Ivoire.
The participants from across the sub-region unanimously confirmed that the proliferation of SALW had created a sense of insecurity among individuals and was threatening the stability of a country not at war, and make the countries prone to eruption of conflict.
A sample interview conducted by Ghana News Agency among serving Military and Police Senior Officers confirmed that the threats were real, in terms of a reiteration or an outbreak of a new conflict and the unconstitutional change of government.
They revealed that the potential usage of SALW exist not only in conflict countries but also in countries perceived to be relatively stable and peaceful with prospects of consolidating basic tenets of democracy and good governance, especially Ghana, as the nation prepares for a major elections.
The Security Experts noted: "these threats remain salient as the re-cycling of former combatants from one civil war to new terrain, especially to countries perceived to be stable were possible. A leading small arms analyst and scholar, Mr. Baffour Dokyi Amoa, told the GNA that recent spate of assassination of influential personalities and threats of assassination of some political heavyweights in society and media practitioners were a reflection of the country having its own share of the impact of SALW.
Mr. Amoa, who is also the President and Programme Manager, West African Action Network Small Arms Control Programme (ECOSAP) called for immediate action to control the looming danger before Ghana becomes a fertile haven for former combatants to ply their trade.
The vagueness that characterize stability in the West Africa sub-region becomes even more deep-rooted, when a nation shows relatively stable and peaceful disposition and "seen to be consolidating its democracy through peaceful elections and begins to attain an enviable status among its peers in the region.
"A rapid ratification of the ECOWAS Convention of SALW within the sub-regional conflict framework could serve as suitable response to either eliminate or reduce the potential threat to the stability of countries and enhance both state and human security in the region."
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
The need to stem or control the nationwide "flood" of SALW has in recent years risen rapidly in the country as there are increasing usage of arm robbery, targeted killings and other nefarious activities. Aside from their role in armed conflicts, these weapons are being widely used to terrorize and control populations, to influence politics, and to gain a livelihood.In many places, desperate and impoverished people often turn to violent means to gain a foothold in society, the result being growing insecurity, and a culture of violence.
It affects the intensity and duration of violence and encourages militancy rather than a peaceful resolution of unsettled differences; serve as a major difficult arms control and disarmament issues to address, for a wide variety of reasons.
DEFINITION OF SALW
The 1997 Report of the United Nations Panel of Government Experts on Small Arms defined small arms as weapons designed for personal use, and light weapons as those designed for use by several persons serving as a crew.
The category of small arms includes: revolvers and self loading pistols, rifles and carbines, assault rifles, sub machine guns and light machine guns. Light weapons include heavy machine guns, hand-held under-barrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and mortars of calibres less than 100mm. The ammunition and explosives are considered to form an integral part of the small arm trade. These small weapons are only part of a larger trade that includes heavier and more lethal weaponry, because they are cheap, easy to transport and can be handled by ill-trained rebel soldiers and even children.
The Sub-regional body, ECOWAS on the other hand defined light weapons as portable arms designed to be used by several persons working together in a team and which included: heavy machine guns; portable grenade launchers, mobile or mounted; portable anti-aircraft cannons; portable anti-tank cannons, and non-recoil guns.
The rest were portable anti-tank missile launchers or rocket launchers; portable anti-aircraft missile launchers; mortars with a calibre of less than 100 millimetres.
Small Arms included arms used by one person and which include notably: firearms and other destructive arms or devices such as an exploding bomb, an incendiary bomb or a gas bomb, a grenade, a rocket launcher, a missile, and a missile system or landmine.
Other were revolvers and pistols with automatic loading; rifles and carbines; machine guns; assault rifles; light machine guns. Devices destined to be shot or projected through the means of firearms including among others: cartridges; projectiles and missiles for light weapons; mobile containers with missiles or projectiles for anti-aircraft or anti-tank and single action systems were classified as ammunitions.
GLOBAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT SALW PROLIFERATION
The uncontrolled proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) in regions of the world suffering from political instability and violent conflict has proven a major obstacle to peace, economic development, and efforts to rebuild war-torn societies. Global efforts included; United Nations international instrument adopted in 2005 which seeks to enable States to identify and rapidly trace small arms and light weapons, UN Protocol on the manufacture and illicit trade in fire arms, spare parts, components and ammunition adopted in 2001.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2002) on women, peace and security which recognises the specific role of women in peace building and the UN Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflicts; against the use of children in armed conflicts.
In addition to United Nations Conventions and other related policies to combat illicit small arms trade, the United States of America tagged as global leader on the efforts to mitigate the illicit trafficking and destabilizing accumulation of SA/LW had step-up efforts through multilateral diplomacy and bilateral assistance to countries in need.
Specifically, the USA has directed its policies at building and enhancing enforcement and legal capacities, better controlling proliferation to areas of conflict, providing training on export control and customs practices, discouraging irresponsible and indiscriminate exports, strengthening sanctions against violators of embargoes, and enhancing stockpile security and destroying excess weapons. The U.S. approach focuses on practical, effective measures to address the problem of illicit SA/LW trafficking in conflict regions where it is most urgent, while acknowledging the legitimacy of legal trade, manufacture, and ownership of arms.
REGIONAL EFFORTS
Within the sub-regional context, a comprehensive and credible ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security was established in December 1999 to provide the framework for early warning, backed by structures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts.
According to Mr Jonathan Sandy, ECOWAS Small Arms Control Officer, the promulgation of ECOWAS Convention on SALW were additional efforts at sub-regional level to prevent and combat the excessive and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons within sub-region. The Convention seeks to mandate countries within the region; to continue the efforts for the control of small arms and light weapon; consolidate the gains of the Declaration of the Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of small arms and its Code of Conduct.
It seeks to build institutional and operational capacities of the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat and the Member States in the efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, their ammunitions and other related materials; and to promote the exchange of information and cooperation among the Member States. The convention also mandate member states to control the manufacture of small arms and light weapons within their national territories; each member state "shall regulate the activities of local small arms and light weapons manufacturers and shall undertake to adopt strategies and policies to the reduction and/or limitation of the manufacture of small arms and light weapons so as to control the local manufacture as well as their marketing in ECOWAS region. Mr SANDY said what has been lacking within ECOWAS, though, is an ability to respond early to threats which are beyond the capacities of member states with a credible and robust sub-regional standby force. However, efforts by the ECOWAS Defence and Security Commission (DSC) to establish an ECOWAS standby force for rapid deployment to contain conflicts and other destabilizing acts within ECOWAS member states is commendable and a step in the right direction.
LOCAL INITIATIVES
In addition to these positive developments, a Ghanaian Security Expert told the GNA that the country since 2000 had embarked on what was coded in security parlance as: Security Sector Reform or Transformation (SSR/T).
The initiative, according to him was pioneered by non-governmental organizations and personnel within the security agencies, was under the auspices of the Government and the United Nations Development Programme Thematic Trust Fund (UNDP-TTF) for reform of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Department for International Development (DfID) for the military.
He explained that the SSR/T initiative was to equip, reorient the philosophies, attitudes and modus operandi of both government and the security agencies to handle challenges posed by mercenaries in the 21st century.
These security agencies, tasked with guaranteeing state and human security under the 1992 Constitution, fall under the executive arms of government, with the legislature exercising prudent oversight functions over these agencies.
He assured the public that these initiatives in itself were credible to consolidate good governance and maintain a peaceful and democratic country.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is solely mandated by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to be equipped and maintained to perform their role of defence as well as undertake such other functions for the development of Ghana as the President may determine. In similar stratum, the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act of 1996, Act 526, makes provision for internal and external security of Ghana and details the institutions and structures responsible for guaranteeing the security of the country.
The GAF is also credited all over the world for its professionalism and a good sense of dedication to duty on peace support operations. These competencies provide a good basis for dealing with threats to Ghana's security challenges.
The country's conflict prevention and management mechanism had also contributed to secure the country for all these years. This is a 'good practice' that should be further strengthened to detect any untoward activities in the country and also prevent, manage and resolve any election related conflicts possible to disorganized the national stability.
SALW A THREAT TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN GHANA
Security experts however, cautioned that, "the nation should not go to sleep, especially as we prepare for Elections 2008 to either maintain or change the democratically elected government of the ruling regime. The experts said the country, perceived as a stable, democratic nation and ascribed as the "Gateway to the West Africa sub-region," was prone to activities of either operatives of the ruling political party trying to hold on to their authority at all means, or by opposition elements committed to overthrowing the government, came what may. The stakes for Elections 2008, especially for the two main political parties the ruling NPP and main opposition NDC are high as regards who takes over government in 2009.
As the days draw by, it is expected that the parties may concentrate and harp on their opponents' shortfalls and weaknesses as a means of getting themselves into power, which normally creates all kinds of tension and insecurity.
The use of hard hitting words by leading political party factionaries in an attempt to convince the electorate of the potency of their respective parties for ruling the country and rubbishing opposing forces create fear and tension in an otherwise stable political environment.
Recent alleged assassination threats on the lives of politicians on both political divide should be construed as an early warning signal for the security agencies to put in place adequate preparation for an early response to exigencies.
This concern is informed by a turbulent history of electoral conflicts in the past and the porous nature of security at the borders within the sub-region. Elections in Ghana are always characterized by widespread tension in which pronouncements by political players and sensational headlines by the media, create general fear, insecurity and tension. prepared gradually towards Elections 2008.
WAANSA and other civil society observers expect Ghana's national security apparatus to guard against any underhand mobilization for destabilization before, during or immediately after the elections. It would be recalled that non-state actors, specifically rebel combatants, have engaged in destabilising acts in West Africa. These combatants are either recruited locally or from outside the country in which the conflict takes place, mainly to destabilise or overthrow the government in an attempt to wrest power and allegedly restore good governance for the betterment of the lives of individuals who remain targets in these civil wars.
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and C=F4te d'Ivoire, among other West African countries, have experienced civil wars fought by a mix of combatants who are either nationals or non-nationals.
These combatants are seen in different conflicts, especially in the Mano River Basin and have participated in on-going disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes (DDR) in some of these countries.
CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH REAL THREATS
With obvious mercenary engagement in West Africa and the possibilities of destabilizing relatively peaceful ECOWAS member states, as well as states in transition or states emerging from complex humanitarian emergencies, there is the need to identify options for control of such activity, which included the immediate ratification of the ECOWAS Convention.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA
The challenge for Ghana, regarding the media however, lies in the dilemma of exercising an editorial discretion based on good judgement, balanced opinion, objective and verifiable contents and the ability to use the "fourth estate of the realm" not to hype or cause destabilizing sensations but to maintain a stable and peaceful environment for democratic consolidation.
The media as "a fourth estate of the realm" has the responsibility to remain fair, objective and neutral as the processes towards elections gained momentum. It must give adequate information to the electorate to facilitate informed choices rather than whip up sentiments or fan simmering disputes and party political rivalries with inflammatory statements and sensational headlines.
The media, holds the key to constitutional development and sustenance of the democratic dispensation in the country. It is believed that the media's ability to hold, direct and incite the general public's perception and thinking on an issue is very paramount for the survival and promotion of democracy and must be acknowledged by all as we move towards Elections 2008.
INSTITUIONAL LEVEL
The urgent need for institutions to share knowledge and understanding of ECOSAP Regional Programme Management Team based in Bamako, Mali; WAANSA operations; institutionalising the partnership between Civil Society Organisations, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), the National Commissions on Small Arms Control (NATCOMs); and the ECOWAS Small Arms Unit (SAU).
Mr Laary Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said the key for protecting our democracy stemmed from understanding of the basic tenets of democracy with its associated rights and obligations and the strengthening of democratic institutions to ensure the survival of the Constitution.
He explained in an interview with the GNA that constitutional rule and democracy would only thrive in a proactive civic society supported by a vibrant, free and independent press and judiciary and in a society in which individuals were alive to their responsibilities and were ready to assert their rights.
"Indeed, it is important that the Ghanaian community develop, strengthen and institutionalise the culture of constitutionalism in the hearts and minds of all, irrespective of age or sex."
ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Political parties are also expected to be circumspect in their campaigning, propagandist activities, and adhere to the Political Parties Code of Ethics.
In view of the sensitivity and importance of Elections 2008, it is necessary to draw the attention of all political parties to the Code of Conduct for Political Parties adopted on May 18, 2000. The code says all political parties have the right and freedom to put forward their views to the electorate without hindrance. All parties must publicly condemn any form of political violence or intimidation, irrespective of who originates it.
Accordingly no political party should indulge in violent activity or intimidation of any kind, as a way of demonstrating its strength or supremacy.
The parties are also expected at all times to avoid defamatory, derogatory and insulting attacks on rival parties or individual personalities through any form of communication, verbal or written. During campaigning, political parties or individuals are to avoid the use of inflammatory language, actions, images or manifestations that incite violence, hatred, contempt or intimidation against another party or candidate or any other group of persons on grounds of ethnicity or gender or for any other reason.
INTELLECTUAL IGNORANCE
Quite unfortunately, many Ghanaians, including intellectuals, politicians, academicians and security agencies, have exposed their ignorance of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution in one way or the other.
This phenomenon, if allowed to continue for a long time, could be the bane that would destabilise the fledgling democracy and not necessary the mere proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
