Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR)

The Anatomy of Ghana's Secret Arms Industry

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What is the extent of craft small-arms production in Ghana? Why have existing legislation and government policies largely failed to contain the problem? This chapter of a book on armed groups and small arms in ECOWAS states documents the extent, nature, and effects of Ghanaian craft small-arms production and discusses existing and potential responses.

Ghana’s long-standing and socially embedded gun-making tradition make it a country of particular concern in the West African region. Guns made in Ghana are now known regionally for their effectiveness, competitive prices, and accessibility. This raises concerns that they could be a potential source of weaponry for armed groups. Craft gun production is illegal in Ghana, but prohibition has not prevented the industry from growing. Rather, it has forced gunsmiths to organise into sophisticated and secretive networks. This is because gun making is deeply socially embedded in Ghana through family, ritual, warrior, and historical traditions. In addition to pistols, single-barrelled guns, shotguns, and traditional dane guns, some gunsmiths now have the technical capability to replicate AK-47 assault rifles. Key findings are:

• Gun-making occurs in all 10 regions of Ghana. Production varies according to demand but each region has the capacity to produce approximately 80 guns annually. Guns are manufactured in conformity with available ammunition requirements on the open market.
• A thriving group of middlemen export craft guns to Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo. There is no evidence that armed groups in the region actively seek to obtain Ghanaian weapons.
• Craft guns are used by some of Ghana’s vigilante groups, landguards, and criminals. Market forces are encouraging some gunsmiths to reject traditional guild rules and produce weapons to meet criminal demand.
• Gunsmiths are also engaged in the production of other mainly agricultural products, which provides opportunities for technological reconversion.

Lack of information and research on Ghanaian gun manufacture has led to bad policy. Legal prohibition and a coercive approach adopted by previous and current governments has not stemmed gun production and trade, but driven it underground. Effective and sustainable solutions will involve persuading local communities to include in their traditional codes of conduct condemnation of gun sales for criminal use or armed conflict. Civil society initiatives have achieved some success in the Ashanti region in initiating dialogues between manufacturers, local communities and government. As a result, gunsmiths formed official associations which have registered artisans, lobbied for changes in negative public perception, and promoted reconversion to non-lethal products. Key policy implications of the study are:

• Legislation should not outlaw craft gun manufacture, but establish regulations designed to bring the trade into the open while at the same time strengthen government control.
• The increasing technological sophistication of craft weapons and the fact that they are attracting a growing number of illegitimate users are worrying trends. An amnesty period should be declared moderated by civil society to allow discussions to take place without fear of arrest.
• Economic incentives need to be provided to gun-makers for them to shift to production of non-lethal agricultural and industrial products. Technological transformation will require substantial amounts of financial backing.

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