Minister for Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery, has indicated that steps are underway to implement the Arms Trade Treaty.
Answering a question at the Plenary by Member of Parliament for Builsa North, Mr. James Agalga on the plans to implement the Arms Trade Treaty, Mr. Dery pointed out that the Ministry is working on a Cabinet Memo on the matter for submission to Cabinet for approval.
The Minister who doubles as a Member of Parliament for Nandom informed the House that Ghana would have to adopt a legislation, develop rules and administrative measures for the implementation of the treaty.
Mr. Dery however reiterated that although there are some laws on arms and ammunitions, there is the need to review the legislation to the United Nations (UN) standard.
In his explanation, Mr. Dery added that ”the implementation of the treaty requires Ghana to put in place certain measures which includes designation of a Competent National Authority, a National Focal Point, a National Control List, strategies to prevent and address the diversion of conventional arms to unauthorised end-users, among others”.
The Arms Trade Treaty; its purpose
The Arms Trade Treaty is a multi-lateral legally-binding treaty which is expected to create common standards for exports, imports, transit, trans-shipment and brokering, referred to as transfer.
The treaty was acceded to and ratified by Parliament in 2015. It is expected to regulate the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.
The treaty is also expected to foster peace and security, curb terrorism by thwarting uncontrolled arms flows to conflict regions and potential conflict zones to prevent human rights abusers and violators of the international humanitarian law from being supplied with arms.
The 1992 Constitution and treaties
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana provides for how treaties should be acceded to and ratified.
Article 75(1) of the Constitution states that ”the President may execute or cause to be executed treaties, agreements or conventions in the name of Ghana”.
Clause(2)(a) of Article 75 also states ”a treaty, agreement or convention executed by or under the authority of the President shall be subject to ratification by-
(a) Act of Parliament; or
(b) a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of more than on-half of all the members of Parliament”
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
