as not to create room for excuses for people to resort to arms as a way to settle scores. The Electoral Commission must ensure free fair and transparent elections. The professional conduct of officers or agents of the Electoral Commission is important so as not to compromise their independence and neutrality in the polls. Voters and supporters of political parties must be adequately informed about the voting process and dispute resolution mechanisms so that in the event of disagreements they will resort to the due process in seeking redress. Politicians and their supporters must act responsibly and avoid hate speeches and the exploitation of ethnic and economic sentiments that have the tendency to incite violence. No country can be governed in chaos hence it is important that politicians who seek the mandate of the electorate to lead to do so responsibly. Civil society organisations have critical roles to play in ensuring peaceful elections. They can embark on voter education and peace-building initiatives in the various constituencies. Citizens must be vigilant and report incidents of arms trafficking to the appropriate security agencies for the necessary actions to be taken. Already, the police through their own intelligence and information from patriotic citizens have impounded illicit arms traffickers. These traffickers must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. When all stakeholders play their roles effectively, there will be little room for individuals to make excuses and take up arms against one another before, during and after the elections. Contact Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung P. O. Box KA 9722 Tel: 030 2 772471 761535 772687 Fax: 0302 772990 Web: www.fesghana.org ISBN: 9988-572-21-2 About the Authors Prosper Hoetu Programme Officer National Commission on Small Arms Accra Email: pyhoetu@gmail.com Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert­Stiftung or of the organisation for which the author works. Jones Applerh Ag Executive Secretary National Commission on Small Arms Accra Email: jones.applerh@smallarmscommission.gov.gh ©Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Ghana, June 2012 PARLIAMENTARY BRIEFING PAPER SMALL ARMS AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE ­AVOIDING THE CANKER IN GHANA Jones Applerh& Prosper Hoetu INTRODUCTION People's sensitivity to electoral outcomes is one of the biggest triggers of armed conflict in many countries in Africa. Indeed, some of the worst moments of tension in Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and many other nations that have witnessed armed conflict have been elections-related when existing social crevices are widened into political cracks with looming prospects of national collapse. The recent political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire-Ghana's western neighbour provides a reminder that an election is a tight-rope walk – the least slip may result in chaos. In many of these conflicts, small arms remain the key instruments used to unleash violence on innocent people destroying thousands of lives and property, displacing millions of people and leading to the total breakdown of modest social, political and economic gains of those nations. This paper discusses the nexus between illicit small arms proliferation and election violence and how Ghana can work to avoid the canker that has plagued other African countries. GHANA'S SMALL ARMS SITUATION The use of small arms predates colonial rule where there were inter-tribal wars. Subsequently, guns played important roles in traditional ceremonies such as festivals, installation of chiefs and funerals of important personalities. Undeniably, almost every traditional area led by a chief has an armoury. Besides, existing chieftaincy, land and other resource related disputes serve as sources of demand for small arms. Whereas individuals who feel insecure acquire arms illegally for self­protection, unscrupulous persons also acquire small arms for criminal activities. Sources of illegal small arms and light weapons include purchases from international and national arms dealers, pilfering from security agencies 1 , and purchases of locally-produced craft weapons. Other sources of illegal small arms in circulation include: theft from residences, seizures from security officials during robberies and in clashes with other armed groups. Some Ghanaians who live abroad also smuggle guns by shipping them together with their personal effects and fail to register them. 1 Daily Graphic, September 30, 2009 pg. 34