the nexus between proliferation of small arms and armed robbery in ghana

164 Pages·2016·3.31 MB·English

by  Mr. Tassan

University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh

THE NEXUS BETWEEN PROLIFERATION OF SMALL
ARMS AND ARMED ROBBERY IN GHANA

BY
FRANCIS TASSAN ANYASAH
(10130467)

THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,
LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT
FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL SOCIOLOGY DEGREE.

JULY, 2015
University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that besides the references cited in this work which have been duly
acknowledged, this thesis is the product of my independent research work under the
supervision of Professor Chris Abotchie and Professor Kodjo Senah. I also declare that,
this thesis has not been submitted in part or in whole for the award of any degree in any
other university.
………………………………
Francis Tassan Anyasah
Student

……………………………
Date

……………………………
Professor Chris Abotchie
Principal Supervisor

……………………………
Date

…………………………......
Professor Kodjo Senah
Supervisor

…………………………………
Date
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ABSTRACT
This thesis examines the nexus between proliferation of small arms and armed robbery in
Ghana using Alavanyo as the epicenter of manufacturing of small arms. Using a
qualitative research method approach, a selected sample of 39 respondents were
interviewed. The study relied on Merton‟s Strain Theory and Sutherland‟s Differential
Association Theory to anchor data analysis. The study showed that blacksmiths engage
in illegal manufacturing of small arms to obtain money to meet their needs. Further,
there is evidence to support Sutherland‟s explanation that the blacksmiths go into the
activity as a result of an excess of definitions favourable to violation of law. Armed
robbery was similarly an innovation adopted by the respondents. Moreover, the study
found out that porous border, excessive use of arms by the police, blacksmiths activities,
corruption, conflicts in parts of the country and weak arms control mechanism are some
of the factors responsible for massive small arms proliferation in Ghana. While police
Criminal Data Services Bureau statistics showed that armed robbers in Ghana use locally
manufactured small arms. The study was not able to find a one-on-one relationship
between proliferation of small arms and armed robbery, though, some of the convicted
armed robbers reportedly used small arms. Also, none of the convicted armed robbers
disclosed that they got their guns from Alavanyo. The study recommends the
establishment of a defence industry under the Ministry of Defence to oversee the local
manufacture of guns by blacksmiths.

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this thesis to my beloved wife Grace and my children Lucas and Enoch. With
their love, tolerance and endurance, I was able to find the extra-time needed to complete
this study.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I am grateful to the Almighty God for guiding and guarding me to
this stage of my endeavour. I am also grateful to my supervisors, Professors Chris
Abotchie and Kodjo Senah for their open-door approach which made it possible for me
to see them anytime of the day and their constant reminders of the need to finish this
thesis on time. Their critiques and suggestions have enabled me to complete this study
successfully.
Similarly, I am indebted to my lecturers, especially Dr. Kofi Ohene Konadu and Dr.
James Dzisah for their inputs and for shaping my ideas. My appreciation also goes to
Asafo Boamah of Gbi-Wegbe, a „war‟ leader through whom I was able to enter
Alavanyo town even though, fighting between Alavanyo and Nkonya was ongoing. The
various communities and facilities in which I carried out my research are also sincerely
acknowledged with gratitude. The role of CSP Gloria Essandoh at the Legal Department,
Ghana Prison Service Headquarters, Accra and Sgt. Justice Boakye-Yiadom of the
Nsawam Medium Security Prison Education Unit are appreciated. Furthermore, all my
respondents, the blacksmiths, convicted armed robbers and my key informants who made
themselves available during the interview sessions, I say thank you.
Mention must also be made of the contributions of my friend and colleague Martin
Luther Darko and Daniel Enin, for proofreading my thesis and helping make sense of my
data and analysis. I say God richly bless you. I also appreciate the roles of other
colleagues who in one way or the other contributed positively to making this thesis a
success. My thanks also go to my wife for keeping the home front in my absence and
also for her encouragement and support.
Finally, I wish to record my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this
thesis though, their names are not mentioned.
In spite of all the assistance received, I take full responsibility for any misinformation or
misinterpretation of data in this thesis. God bless you all!

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AQIM Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
ARAB Ashanti Region Association of Blacksmiths
ASDR African Security Dialogue and Research (Ghana)
CDSB Criminal Data Services Bureau
CID Criminal Investigation Department
CPP Convention Peoples Party
D-GP Director-General of Prisons
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
ECOWAS Moratorium Declaration of a Moratorium on Importation, Exportation
and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa
FATF Financial Action Task Force
FOSDA Foundation for Security and Development in Africa
(Ghana)
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GFA Ghana Armed Forces
GHANSA Ghana Action Network on Small Arms
GIABA The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money
Laundry on West Africa
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
GNA Ghana News Agency
GNCSA Ghana National Commission on Small Arms
GOG Government of Ghana
GPI Global Peace Index
GPS Ghana Prisons Service
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GSS Ghana Statistical Service
IANSA International Action Network on Small Arms
IDPs Internally Displaced Persons
IHRW International Human Rights Watch
IRIN Integrated Regional Information Networks
ISS Institute for Security Studies
KAIPTC Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre
MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MUJAO Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
NRCD National Redemption Council Decree
NSC National Security Council
SAIIA South African Institute of International Affairs
SALW Small Arms and Light Weapons
SASA Saviefe, Akrofu, Sovie and Alavanyo
SIPRI Stockholm International and Peace Research Institutes
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNGA United Nations Convention Against Transnational
Organized Crime
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UNPoA United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat
and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All Its Aspects
WAANSA West African Action Network on Small Arms
WANEP West African Network for Peace (Ghana)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ i
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. ii
DEDICATION .............................................................................................................. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................. iv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ viii
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... xii
LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................... xiii
LIST OF PICTURES .................................................................................................. xiv

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND .................... 1
1.0 Background to the study........................................................................................ 1
1.1 The West Africa Permissive Environment ............................................................. 3
1.2 The Concept of Small Arms .................................................................................. 7
1.3 The Concept of Armed Robbery ........................................................................... 8
1.4 Sources of Small Arms Proliferation ................................................................... 13
1.5 Outlay of Conflicts.............................................................................................. 17
1.6 Problem statement .............................................................................................. 18
1.7 Study‟s Aims and Objectives .............................................................................. 22
1.8 Significance of the study ..................................................................................... 22
1.9 Organisation of the Study .................................................................................... 23

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CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................... 25
REVIEW OF LITERATURE ....................................................................................... 25
2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 25
2.1 Demand (pull factors) for small arms .................................................................. 29
2.2 Factors Influencing Small Arms and Armed Robbery ......................................... 31
2.3 Motivation for Demand of Small Arms ............................................................... 33
2.4 Theoretical perspectives ...................................................................................... 35

CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................... 44
THE HISTORY AND LAW OF GUN MANUFACTURING IN GHANA ................... 44
3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 44
3.1 Indigenous Blacksmiths ...................................................................................... 46
3.2 Notable Areas for Gun Manufacturing ................................................................ 47
3.3 Demand and Supply of Locally-made Guns ........................................................ 50
3.4 Government Control Measures ............................................................................ 51

CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................ 59
PROFILE OF ALAVANYO ........................................................................................ 59
4.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 59
4.1 Population, Location and History of Alavanyo .................................................... 60
4.2 Economic Activities ............................................................................................ 62
4.3 Topography, Drainage and Vegetation ................................................................ 64
4.4 Road Infrastructure ............................................................................................. 65
4.5 Traditional Administration .................................................................................. 65
4.6 SASA Festival .................................................................................................... 66
4.7 Alavanyo/Nkonya Conflict ................................................................................. 67
4.8 Creation of Togo Plateau Forest Reserve............................................................. 68
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