Illicit palms extra bad than medicine – Dr Adam Bonaa – Life Pulse Daily
Editor-in-chiefJanuary 19, 20266 Mins read28
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Illicit Arms Worse Than Drugs: Dr. Adam Bonaa’s Critical Warning on National Security
Introduction
In the complex landscape of global security and transnational crime, the narrative often focuses heavily on narcotics trafficking. However, Dr. Adam Bonaa, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) in Ghana, offers a starkly different perspective. During a recent high-level forum, Dr. Bonaa presented a compelling argument that illicit small arms and light weapons represent a far more devastating and enduring threat to societal stability than illicit drugs.
This article explores Dr. Bonaa’s insights presented at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) media forum. We will dissect the comparative dangers of arms versus drugs, examine the role of port security in national defense, and provide practical advice on how illicit weapons trafficking impacts regional safety in West Africa and the Sahel. By understanding these dynamics, stakeholders can better appreciate the necessity of multi-agency collaboration and robust arms control treaties.
Key Points
- Comparative Threat Level: Illicit small arms are deemed more dangerous than drugs because they have a longer lifespan and broader destructive capability. While drugs primarily affect the individual user, a single weapon can be used to inflict violence over decades, affecting multiple generations.
- Port Security Innovation: Ghana has installed advanced weapon detection systems at the Tema Port, supported by the German government. This technology is crucial for detecting concealed firearms in vehicles and cargo.
- Amnesty Success: Ghana’s national firearms amnesty program has been successful, resulting in the voluntary surrender of hundreds of illicit weapons, thereby proactively reducing the stockpile of illegal arms.
- Regional Stability: Controlling illicit arms trafficking through Ghana’s ports is vital for preventing the flow of weapons into the Sahel and West Africa, areas already plagued by insecurity.
- NACSA’s Mandate: The Commission focuses on marking, tracing, monitoring weapons, supporting security agencies, public education, and ensuring compliance with international treaties.
Background
The Context of the GPHA Media Forum
The discussion took place during a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). The event’s theme was “Securing Ghana’s Ports Against Illicit Small Arms: Strengthening Multi-Agency Collaboration for National Safety.” This forum highlighted the strategic importance of Ghana’s maritime gateways in the fight against transnational crime.
Ghana, situated in West Africa, serves as a critical hub for trade. However, this economic advantage also makes it a potential transit point for illicit goods, including small arms and light weapons (SALW). The proliferation of these weapons is a primary driver of instability in the region, fueling conflicts, terrorism, and violent crime.
Understanding the Commission on Small Arms
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) is the statutory body mandated to control the proliferation of illicit small arms in Ghana. Established by Act 747, NACSA operates under the Ministry of the Interior. Its responsibilities extend beyond mere regulation; it actively engages in disarmament, public education, and policy formulation to ensure Ghana remains a zone of peace.
Analysis
Why Illicit Arms Are More Destructive Than Drugs
Dr. Bonaa’s assertion that illicit arms are “extra bad than medicine” (drugs) is rooted in the mechanics of violence and addiction. While the opioid crisis and drug abuse are devastating to individuals and families, the proliferation of illicit firearms has a macro-level impact on state security.
As Dr. Bonaa articulated, “If I ingest a drug, it affects only me. But a weapon can be used for over 100 years and destroy entire communities.”
This statement highlights two critical dimensions:
- Temporal Longevity: A firearm is a durable good. Unlike narcotics, which are consumed and depleted, a weapon can be passed down, sold, or stolen and reused for decades. It remains a lethal tool in the hands of criminals, insurgents, or terrorists long after its initial entry into the illicit market.
- Cumulative Damage: The impact of a weapon is not limited to a single event. It facilitates a chain of violence—armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, and political instability. In the Sahel region, the proliferation of small arms has turned localized conflicts into protracted security crises that threaten national borders and regional peace.
The Role of Ports in Arms Trafficking
Ports of entry like Tema are the first line of defense against illicit imports. Historically, criminals have utilized sophisticated concealment methods to hide weapons within legitimate cargo. Dr. Bonaa emphasized that without rigorous detection, Ghana’s ports could become conduits for arms destined for conflict zones in the Sahel.
The installation of dedicated weapon detection systems marks a technological leap in border control. These systems utilize advanced scanning capabilities to identify metallic signatures and shapes typical of firearms, even when hidden in engine blocks or within dense cargo loads. This technology reduces reliance on manual inspection, which is prone to human error and corruption.
Intelligence-Led Operations and Multi-Agency Collaboration
Technology alone is insufficient. Dr. Bonaa stressed the necessity of intelligence-led operations. This involves:
- Information Sharing: Seamless communication between customs, police, immigration, and intelligence agencies.
- Discreet Reporting: Encouraging the public and industry stakeholders (such as clearing agents and port workers) to report suspicious activities without fear of reprisal.
- Regional Cooperation: Since arms trafficking is transnational, Ghana must collaborate with neighboring countries to track movements and disrupt supply chains.
Practical Advice
Strategies for Combating Illicit Arms Trafficking
To address the threat of illicit small arms effectively, governments, security agencies, and civil society must adopt a multi-faceted approach. Based on Dr. Bonaa’s insights and international best practices, here are actionable strategies:
1. Implement Robust Marking and Tracing Protocols
Every legally manufactured firearm should be marked with a unique identifier. This allows for precise tracing if the weapon is recovered at a crime scene or seized during an illegal shipment. NACSA’s mandate includes ensuring that all weapons in Ghana are properly marked. This creates an audit trail that links a weapon to its point of origin and legal owner, making it harder for illicit arms to enter the black market unnoticed.
2. Utilize Advanced Detection Technology
Investment in non-intrusive inspection technology is critical. Ports should prioritize:
- High-Energy Scanners: Capable of penetrating dense materials to detect hidden compartments.
- Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS): Used to detect trace amounts of explosives or narcotics, which often accompany arms shipments.
- K-9 Units: Specially trained dogs remain one of the most effective tools for detecting firearms and ammunition in luggage and cargo.
3. Establish National Firearms Amnesty Programs
Amnesty programs provide a safe mechanism for citizens to surrender illicit weapons without fear of prosecution. As seen in Ghana, these initiatives can yield significant results, reducing the number of weapons in circulation. To be effective, these programs must be well-publicized and supported by community leaders.
4. Strengthen Public Education and Awareness
Dr. Bonaa highlighted the role of public education. Citizens must understand the legal implications of possessing unregistered firearms and the societal cost of weapon proliferation. Educational campaigns should target:
- Youth Groups: To prevent recruitment into armed gangs.
- Border Communities: To encourage reporting of cross-border smuggling.
- Civil Society Organizations: To act as watchdogs and advocates for peace.
5. Enhance Regional Security Architecture
Illicit arms do not respect borders. Strengthening the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms is essential. This includes harmonizing national laws, sharing intelligence databases, and conducting joint border patrols to intercept trafficking routes connecting coastal West Africa to the instability in the Sahel.
FAQ
Why are illicit small arms considered more dangerous than drugs?
Dr. Adam Bonaa argues that while drugs harm the individual user, illicit small arms have a broader and longer-lasting impact. A weapon can be used for over a century, facilitating violence, terrorism, and crime that destroys entire communities and destabilizes nations.
What is NACSA’s role in Ghana’s security?
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) is responsible for marking, tracing, and monitoring weapons. They support security agencies, conduct public education campaigns, and ensure Ghana complies with international arms control treaties.
How does Ghana prevent illicit weapons from entering its ports?
Ghana has installed advanced weapon detection systems at the Tema Port, supported by the German government. These systems detect hidden firearms in vehicles and cargo. Additionally, the country relies on intelligence-led operations and multi-agency collaboration to intercept trafficking.
What is a firearms amnesty?
A firearms amnesty is a government initiative that allows individuals to surrender illegal or unregistered weapons without facing legal penalties. This helps reduce the number of illicit arms in circulation. Ghana’s recent amnesty program resulted in the surrender of hundreds of weapons.
What is the connection between illicit arms and regional instability?
Illicit arms fuel conflicts in the Sahel and West Africa. Weapons trafficked through ports in coastal countries often end up in the hands of terrorists and insurgents in landlocked Sahelian nations, exacerbating insecurity and affecting the entire region’s stability.
Conclusion
Dr. Adam Bonaa’s warning that illicit small arms are “extra bad than medicine” serves as a crucial reminder of the hierarchy of threats facing West Africa. While drug abuse is a public health crisis, the proliferation of illicit firearms is an existential threat to national sovereignty and regional stability. The durability of weapons means that every gun that slips through port controls poses a risk for generations.
Ghana’s proactive measures—ranging from the installation of sophisticated detection systems at Tema Port to the successful execution of national amnesties—demonstrate a commitment to securing its borders. However, the fight against illicit arms trafficking requires sustained vigilance, international cooperation, and continuous public education. By prioritizing the control of small arms, Ghana not only protects its own citizens but also contributes significantly to the peace and security of the West African sub-region.
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