Understanding the drivers of small arms and light weapons (SALW) accumulation in non-civil war contexts - The case of Ghana's Bawku conflict

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) poses a substantial threat to the peace and security of not only countries experiencing civil wars but also states not experiencing full-scale wars in Africa. Ghana, which is often regarded as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa, faces growing internal security threats, with an estimated 2.3 million SALW in circulation, out of which a little over one million of such SALW are untraceable and unregistered. This study examines the role of SALW in intensifying and sustaining the protracted Bawku conflict in northeastern Ghana, a historically deep-rooted chieftaincy and ethnic dispute. Initially, this conflict was characterised by irregular violence using locally made weapons. It has evolved into a militarised confrontation where high-calibre firearms, including AK-47s, G3 rifles, and the attempted use of an RPG to destroy a fuel station. The study identifies key drivers of arms proliferation in the Bawku conflict, including inadequate arms regulation, weak border controls, historical grievances, youth militarisation, and the politicisation of traditional authority. By situating the analysis in a non-civil war context, the study challenges conventional assumptions about SALW dynamics and emphasises the urgent need for localised, preventive arms control strategies.