On September 13, 2024, Sierra Leone’s Arms and Ammunition Commission, in partnership with the Small Arms Survey, officially validated the National Action Plan (NAP) on Weapons and Ammunition Management. The event, held at Swiss Hotel in Freetown, marks a major step in strengthening the country’s security through improved control of weapons.
The NAP, developed since 2021 with support from the Federal Foreign Office and Mines Advisory Group (MAG), is a five-year strategic plan aimed at reducing armed violence and improving national security. During the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Lt. (Retired) Foday Ndanema detailed the four-phase process behind the NAP—diagnostic, developmental, validation, and dissemination. He emphasized that the plan transforms strategic ideas into actionable programs that meet current needs.
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Madam Catherine Hawa Kekura, addressed the challenges posed by Sierra Leone’s porous borders, which allow illegal access to small arms. She stressed the importance of effective arms control to ensure national development and compliance with international standards.
Francis Wairagu of the Small Arms Survey praised the collaboration behind the NAP’s validation, noting that it lays out a framework to reduce armed violence and enhance public safety.
Reverend Martha P. Gbenga-Chigozie, representing the Advisory Committee, expressed gratitude for the efforts of all involved and called for institutional collaboration and government funding. She highlighted that approximately SLe 86.1 million is needed to fully implement the NAP over the next five years, ensuring transparency, accountability, and partnership.
The NAP envisions a peaceful Sierra Leone, free from unregulated arms and ammunition, contributing to the country’s development, peace, and security.
